Swimmer's Daily

  • After the success of the FINA World Championships 2017, where the water polo final between Hungary and Croatia brought together 8000 fans to the cradle of the sport, FINA is back in Budapest, Hungary.

    This week, from April 26-28, the International Water Polo Community gathers in the Magyar capital for the FINA World Water Polo Conference.

    Over 250 participants, including 163 National Federation delegates, will discuss the future of the oldest Olympic team sport.

    The Conference will feature more than 40 speakers who will address 19 different topics. A key component of the conference will be to discuss the sports’ rules and competition formats. Thanks to the extensive and comprehensive programme, the Conference will offer a unique platform to exchange ideas and best practice.

    Experts will also weigh in on what it takes to succeed in areas such as development, media, broadcasting and events, helping Water Polo strive for more success in the future, on a global scale.

    Key statistics for the conference include:

    • More than 250 participants, including experts and FINA Family members (27 from Africa; 26 from Americas; 29 from Asia; 141 from Europe; 7 from Oceania)
    • 163 national federations’ representatives (27 from Africa, 26 from America, 29 from Asia, 73 from Europe, 7 from Oceania)
    • Participants hail from 111 different countries (24 countries from Africa, 24 countries from America, 23 countries from Asia, 34 countries from Europe, 6 countries from Oceania)

    A press conference is scheduled on Saturday, April 28, at 12:30 upon the conclusion of the conference.

    You can follow the Conference LIVE on FINA Youtube channel as of Thursday April 26.

    For more details, please refer to the full programme or follow this link.

  • Today marks 100 days to go until sporting history is made through Glasgow and Berlin’s co-hosting of the first-ever combined European Championships.

     

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  • If you hold your breath and plunge your face into a tub of water, your body automatically triggers what’s called the diving response. Your heart rate slows, your blood vessels constrict, and your spleen contracts, all reactions that help you save energy when you’re low on oxygen.

    Most people can hold their breath underwater for a few seconds, some for a few minutes. But a group of people called the Bajau takes free diving to the extreme, staying underwater for as long as 13 minutes at depths of around 200 feet. These nomadic people live in waters winding through the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia, where they dive to hunt for fish or search for natural elements that can be used in crafts.

    Now, a study in the journal Cell offers the first clues that a DNA mutation for larger spleens gives the Bajau a genetic advantage for life in the deep.

    Read National Geographic

  • Michael Phelps, “Save Water” ambassador and Olympic gold medalist, talks about his hope to inspire people to turn off the faucet and save water, and dealing with the mental pressure after participating in extreme competition.

  • Freediver and tech entrepreneur Jeremy Stephan will announce the formation of the U.S. Freediving Federation (USFF) at the CMAS General Assembly Meeting in Phuket Thailand this week.

    Started in 1959 by Jacques-Yves Cousteau, and recognized by the International Olympic Committee and UNESCO, CMAS comprises over 130 federations including the United States as one of the charter members. CMAS is a prestigious organization dedicated to the development of all underwater activities and sport disciplines on a worldwide basis.

    As the youngest member of the CMAS family, the USFF is happy to help continue the legacy started by Mr. Cousteau by offering its members unprecedented education, support and resources while aiming increase a greater visibility and understanding of the sport.

    “I couldn’t find much support in the U.S. Most people in the U.S. don’t know anything about freediving,” says Stephan. “There are very few competitions here, and no programs or organizations that are helping to build awareness and community. This is what I want to affect and change. I want to inspire and help make this sport understood, attainable and approachable. I want everyone else after me in the U.S. to have a support system to learn, train, go on adventures and compete. While the experience will be different for everyone, the benefits that can be gained are many and life changing.”

    Read Digital Journal

     

    Photo by jayhem

  • Durban-born Chad le Clos, the most decorated swimmer at this year’s Commonwealth Games in Australia, is returning to South Africa to pursue a dream.

    On Friday, he will launch the Chad Le Clos Academy (CLeC) at the Quadrant Complex in Claremont, Cape Town.

    With a total of 17 career gold medals to his name, three of which have been bagged at this month’s Games in Gold Coast, Le Clos has his sights set on opening a “world-class” swimming academy.

    It will focus on training young children to swim and, ultimately, pursue the path to Olympic greatness.

    Le Clos, who now lives in Cape Town, hopes to expand the academy to other provinces throughout South Africa.

    Read IOL

    (a video from one year ago)

  • Not only was Johnson the first ever African American woman to compete for Team USA in water polo, she was crowned tournament MVP in Rio.

  • Sophie McAfee competed at her first senior national at age 12, and since then has continued to pursue her dreams of representing the USA at the Olympics in diving! Hear from Sophie as she looks ahead to her first appearance at the Youth Olympic Games 2018 Buenos Aires.

  • In this reel, we stay afloat with stories of five incredible swimmers. We make our way through the Mississippi River with a former Navy SEAL, meet a synchronized swimmer smashing stereotypes, and get our adrenaline pumping with a champion cliff diver.