Courtesy: United States Aquatic Sports
The leadership of the five constituent members of United States Aquatic Sports (USAS) – USA Artistic Swimming, USA Diving, US Masters Swimming, USA Swimming and USA Water Polo – met last month to endorse the nomination of Bill May by the athlete members of USA Artistic Swimming for a position on the FINA Athletes Committee.
“USAS is proud to nominate Artistic Swimming athlete, Bill May, for a position on the FINA Athletes Committee. Bill is a pathfinder in the Mixed Duet event, and, if elected, his demonstrated leadership will be an asset to FINA and to our sport. USAS commends FINA President Husain Al Musallam for his visionary commitment to athlete engagement, including the FINA Athletes Committee elected by athletes across the six aquatic disciplines, representing all Continents and with gender equality,” said USAS President Bill Smith.
“This is an incredible honor to be the FINA Athletes Committee nominee from the United States. The aquatic world has given me so many amazing blessings, and it is an unbelievable privilege to have the support of United States Aquatic Sports. I hope to continue to learn and evolve in the aquatic world and represent a strong voice amongst the athletes I respect so highly.” said artistic swimmer Bill May, FINA World Champion.
USA Artistic Swimming President Denise Shively said: “We are proud to have Bill May represent the USA with passion and integrity in the June election, and if successful, he will effectively represent all athletes as a member of the FINA Athletes Committee. Adam Andrasko added: “USA Artistic Swimming is honored by the trust that US Aquatic Sports members have shown in Bill May. The Athletes Committee’s role is greater than ever and we are confident that Bill will put in the time, energy and effort to improve all aquatic sports. Bill has done many tremendous things in his career and if elected by his peers, he will be in a position to do many more.” Andrasko is the Chief Executive Officer of USA Artistic Swimming.
ABOUT BILL MAY, ARTISTIC SWIMMER
With the mixed duet added to the FINA World Championship program, Bill May returned to the sport after a 10-year retirement. In July 2015 May became the first man ever to win an artistic swimming gold medal at the FINA World Championships, by winning the mixed duet technical routine gold, with his partner Christina Jones.
ABOUT THE FINA ATHLETES COMMITTEE
“Today marks another exciting chapter in giving athletes a greater voice and influence on decisions within aquatics sport,” FINA President Husain Al-Musallam said. “Having athletes elected to the FINA Athletes Committee by their fellow athletes marks a significant step forward for athlete empowerment within the aquatics community.”
In February 2022 the FINA Bureau met and approved a series of electoral milestones for the FINA Athletes Committee that will strengthen the athletes’ voice in aquatics sport. The FINA Athletes’ Committee elections, set to be held during the 19th FINA World Championships in Budapest (HUN), will see FINA have a democratically elected Athletes’ Committee, composed of both active and recently retired athletes. The FINA Athletes’ Committee will continue to have representation within each of the FINA Technical Committees (diving, high diving, open water swimming, swimming, artistic swimming and water polo).