FINA reveals new events to fend off rival group

FINA has attempted to answer its critics by launching the “innovative” event it promised after its threats prompted the cancellation of the International Swimming League.

Swimming’s governing body yesterday announced the FINA Champions Series, a three-leg competition between March and May, but the format and timing are sure to come under scrutiny.

The event comes after the inaugural ISL event, due to take place in Italy this month, was cancelled after FINA threatened to impose sanctions on the event and any swimmers who took part. The sanctions included a possible ban from the 2019 World Championships.

FINA says it is “uniquely placed” to deliver the new format, which will feature only four swimmers in straight finals of the invitation-only event – the Olympic and world champion, world record holder and the world No 1.

Swimmers will receive prize money – the individual prize fund is £1.92 million – and appearance fees and be grouped in teams on a “continental or sponsor basis”, FINA said.

The events, in Olympicsized, 50-metre pools, will comprise 50 metres and 100m across all four strokes, plus 400m freestyle and 200m individual medley.

FINA said the “innovative format (is) aimed at creating a world-class platform for elite swimming and to develop a fresh focus on the highest-level athletes in FINA events”.

FINA is already facing legal challenges from three swimmers and the ISL over its perceived monopoly, as the ISL insists it can coexist with FINA’S established competitions.

The announcement by the world governing body came on the day the ISL announced it will hold a “brain storming” summit in London next week.

Eleven Olympic and 18 world champions, including Briton Adam Peaty, will attend the two-day summit, which plans to create a global Swimmers’ Association to promote the professionalisation of the sport.