Imagine Ariarne Titmus or Emma McKeown missing global swimming events, entangled in rules and regulations beyond the pool. Or, picture the Dolphins competing in a global swimming competition without their national colors. Both sound unbelievable, don’t they? Till now, we have seen athletes from Russia and Belarus having such a fate. But as the reality stands, swimmers from Australia might also have the same fate. And guess what? Swimming Australia, Australia’s national governing body for swimming is the one to blame for it.

Just 10 weeks. And from the 18-medal (including 7 golds) winning run of the Paris Olympics, the country stands in neck-deep waters.

On October 18, the Australian news agency Herald Sun revealed stunning turns of events. According to the outlet, Swimming Australia is scrambling to resolve a governance dispute with World Aquatics (AQUA), the world body for swimming. And because of that, they are on the verge of expulsion from AQUA. The outcome can be disastrous for the swimmers.

The golden warriors of Australia might be forced to compete with the demeaning tag of ‘neutrals’ if the expulsion comes into effect, according the report by the Herald Sun. Senior World Aquatics officials – including chief executive Brent Nowicki, treasurer Dale Neuburger and legal counsel, will fly to Australia for a crisis talks with Swimming Australia’s board members and stakeholders on Monday. If the Australian body can not persuade the international regulators, all hell might break loose. But what are the factors pushing them toward the end? 

Swimming Australia comes under the scanner for multiple loose ends 

Per the same report, Swimming Australia was ready to place some reforms, in accordance with the constitution and rules of World Aquatics. As per the resolution, the change was supposed to be effective after the annual general meeting on October 25, 2023. But after an entire year, the Australian authorities are yet to inflict any change.

That approach has irked the Lausanne-based swimming authority. Furthermore, World Aquatics advised the Dolphins’ swimming body to increase the number of voting members from 9 to 21 and include more women in key positions. In fact, the federal government in Australia has also announced the need for equal gender participation in all sports organizations in Australia.

According to the report, Swimming Australia promised to act on the reforms. Yet, at present, the swimming body has two women among the nine members of the board of directors. It had also proposed to create an athletes’ commission that would nominate candidates to the Swimming Australia board as athlete director. Non-compliance with these has made the World Aquatics take strict action on the situation. An insider does not mince words to reveal that.

“If it’s not resolved on Monday, the next step will be suspension and the implementation of a stabilisation committee. They are used to babysitting some countries, but they don’t expect to have to babysit member countries like Australia so the messaging will be crystal clear. They want a resolution on Monday,” the insider said. The Australian authorities are also aware of their lax attitude.

“We know what the deadlines were, because they’re very clear in the Constitution to have this change brought in by the end of April. That deadline has clearly been missed. So that’s one of the main concerns of World Aquatics,” Rob Woodhouse, the newly appointed Swimming Australia CEO, said. However, they have their own reasons to justify the delay in its procedures. 

The authority wants a further moment to impose the changes 

Woodhouse knows the weight of the situation. Additionally, he is ready to walk on the tightrope by imposing the changes, but he has conditions. Through a historical change, Woodhouse has earned the chair, and it has been just six months since he took the seat.

Therefore, he needs time to reflect on the reforms the World Aquatics wants. The global swimming body set the deadline for April. Woodhouse has accepted the role at the same time. That has made him slightly novice regarding the condition of the reforms. However, he has an offer for the World Aquatics. 

Rob Woodhouse says that he has an alternate model that may sit well with the reforms asked by World Aquatics. Nonetheless, when it comes to the old set of reforms, he requires some modification before agreeing to the notice. But will the World Aquatics pay heed to his conditions?

The CEO replied without a pause, “There may well be a bit of give and take on that but I’d be surprised if it wasn’t acceptable, or a variation of it, because it does meet with all the requirements.” Yet, several board members on both sides have negative thoughts about the outcome. Now, a lot of things are on the plate to be decided in the next seven days. Till then, keep an eye on this space for further updates.