The Int'l Swimming Federation (FINA) is "looking to move forward with eliminating age limits" for FINA bureau members to allow FINA President Julio Maglione to "continue past a second term." Currently, the FINA constitution "requires that the maximum age to elect a FINA Bureau member is 80 in the year that the election takes place." Additionally, FINA is looking to create a new first VP position during the Extraordinary Congress in Kazan this summer (SWIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE, 3/17). ... Every Australian franchise "will start next year's Super Rugby campaign" with a 50% chance of making the eight-team playoffs under a "radically revised SANZAR season draw." The introduction of Argentina and Japan and the return of the Southern Kings will "boost the number of teams in Super Rugby from 15 to 18, forcing dramatic changes to the existing format." While the present Australian and New Zealand conferences will "remain untouched," South Africa's six teams -- the Sharks, Stormers, Bulls, Cheetahs, Lions and Kings -- will be split into two conferences, with Argentina joining one and Japan the other (THE AUSTRALIAN, 3/19).
