FINA announced the 2018 Swimming World Cup Series schedule back in May of this year, with the first cluster’s stop in Kazan, Russia slated for September 7th-9th. For the first time ever, FINA will be switching between long course (50m) and short course (25m) throughout the series in an attempt to increase participation in the event.
However, one mega star has already made his non-participation known, as world record holder and Olympic champion Adam Peaty of Great Britain fired back at FINA for its use of his image in a Twitter post.
In a since-deleted World Cup promotional tweet from FINA that first appeared on August 22nd, the organization’s message included a quote from Peaty asking, “Do you think you’ve seen it all? Then wait until I get back in the pool at the FINA World Swimming Cup! So excited to race!” However, it’s clear the quote was a wish from FINA, as the tweet concluded with ‘@adampeaty could be saying that, don’t you think?’
You can read FINA’s tweet within BBC’s Nick Hope’s editorial re-tweet below.
“Hi @adam_peaty, FINA here…”
Swimming’s governing body calling out the Olympic champion to race in their forthcoming World Cup series…
There’s money to be made, but major medals are his priority. pic.twitter.com/6IqKX2HioX
— ✌️🏊🏻♂️ᑎIᙅK ᕼOᑭᙓ🇬🇧✌️ (@NickHopeTV) August 22, 2018
In response to FINA, Peaty tweeted the remark, “Maybe they need to put them at a time of year when people want to race, as well as 50/50 SC and LC (questioning emoji inserted).”
Maybe they need to put them at a time of year when people want to race aswell as 50/50 SC and LC 🤔 https://t.co/wwjYwp0D5M
— Adam Peaty MBE (@adam_peaty) August 22, 2018
Peaty isn’t the only world-famous swimmer whose image FINA is using to lobby interest in this year’s World Cup Series. Jamaica’s Alia Atkinson, Sweden’s Sarah Sjostrom and Japan’s Daiya Seto have all appeared in FINA tweets this month; however, Peaty’s particular promo was the only one that included a faux quote from the athlete.
This is like when Ritter sports used Dressel as an example for stength training and made it seem like he uses their product. And this was on this site lol!
i seem to recall FINA using the image of Michael Phelps in an unauthorised way and I think they even attributed some bogus quote to him. This organization has a serious ethics issue and incidents like this just add to the evidence.
So, let me understand this…
AP says he is not competing, and lists very understandable reasons as to why.
Whilst using said swimmers image to promote the event, FINA acknowledge said athletes non-participation and take a jibe him at the same time?
Wow. These people really don’t care about the sport.
Is this Nick Hope even a spokesperson for, or member of, FINA? His twitter account says he’s a BBC sports reporter.
I got the impression that the FINA remark was intended as a joke and that the jibe was from Nick himself.
THEY USED DRESSEL IN THEIR PROMO
Just another example of despicable FINA behavior.
No respect for Olympic champions or sportsmanship . Ugly methods