The FINA Bureau approved the organization of a new and additional swimming event format to debut in '19: the FINA Champions Swim Series. It will consist of a three-leg competition, between March and May, aimed at Olympic and World medalists, in an innovative format to create a world-class platform for elite swimming. The Series will comprise events of 50m, 100m and 200m in freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly (as well as the 400m free and 200m IM), in addition to four relay races. The program will include only finals, where the best four swimmers in each event will compete in individual races. The competition will be held in 50m pools, and each leg will be contested over three days (Friday to Sunday). The athletes’ participation will be on an invitation-only basis, comprising the Olympic and world champion, the world record holder and the best in the world ranking in each event (FINA). SWIMSWAM's Braden Keith reported the series will award over $3.9M in prize money, making it the richest swimming event in FINA history, and FINA "will also cover athletes’ travel costs and provide them with appearance money." Athletes will be grouped into teams -- "on a continental or sponsor basis" -- with each team comprising 24 athletes (12 men, 12 women). While "not specifically stated," the new series "seems to be in direct response" to the "similar-sounding" Int'l Swimming League (SWIMSWAM, 12/13).
MORE TO COME: The BBC's Nick Hope reported FINA hopes its "innovative" new format will "appease those who have voiced frustrations with their governance in recent years." However, "further action could still be taken by unhappy swimmers." More than 30 of the world's best swimmers will reportedly meet in London next week to "discuss taking further action against the governing body" (BBC, 12/13).
