Last Friday, the Italian Swimming Federation (FIN) held a Federal Council meeting via video conference. One of the main themes discussed were the economic problems for sports clubs and sports facilities amid the global coronavirus pandemic.
In Italy there are around 1,500 water sports associations, all of which have been closed during lockdown period.
The meeting produced 2 decisions:
- The establishment of a commission of health experts and federal representatives to draw up useful guidelines during “phase 2” of the lockdown. That is when training facilities will be opened with some specific security measures.
- The cancellation of all national sporting events of the aquatic disciplines until May 31st, 2020.
The Federal Council has also confirmed the suspension of the men’s water polo cup and the national men’s and women’s water polo championships.
A few days ago Paolo Barelli, the president of FIN (Italian Swimming Federation) and LEN (European Swimming Federation), asked the Italian government for some help:
“The economic drama for amateur sports clubs and associations, which manage the facilities and guarantee sports at the highest level, is evident. The economic bleeding that affects them is unstoppable without government support. “
Last week, Italian prime minister Giuseppe Conte announced that the country’s quarantine measures would be extended until May 3rd. No other details about that precautions were released.
Italian sports minister Vincenzo Spafadora believes that training and competition for the country’s elite athletes can resume on May 4th, if the country continues to practice effective social distancing.
Italy has been one of the world’s hardest-hit countries by the global coronavirus pandemic with over 172,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus infection which has led to 22,745 deaths. That is the second-most deaths of any country reported in the world behind the U.S.