All Systems Go For 2019 Pan American Games…..Earlier this month, Pan American Sports Organization (PASO) President Julio Maglione visited Lima, Peru, site of the 2019 Pan American Games. Maglione, who also serves as President of swimming’s national governing body, FINA, met with Peruvian President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski and other officials. They toured venues set to be utilized in the Games, of which Maglione told the local press “My balance is positive. They are saving at all levels, reducing costs without affecting the quality that means the next Pan American Games. We are convinced that the Pan American Games will be done in Lima, and will be a great success.”
Malaysian Pool Closure…..The Pandamaran Swimming Pool located at Port Klang in Malaysia has closed after being hit with an estimated RM625,000 ($125,000) loss over the last 7 months. The pool’s council president Datuk Mohamad Yasid Bidin cites the rising costs of maintenance as the primary reason for the pool’s closure, which officially took place August 12th. “Our swimming pool has been saddled with exorbitant water bills and numerous repairs expenses,” he said. “Our biggest bill was from water usage amounting to RM486,000 ($110,000). I believe there is underground pipe leakage that needs to be addressed.” Records show that 70,000 people, including 33,000 children, used the Pandamaran Swimming Pool last year, averaging about 6,000 users a month. The council is seeking a new company to operate the pool complex and its goal is to reopen by April 2017.
Stamford HS Coach Reinstated…..Last month’s In Briefs reported that Westhill-Stamford (Connecticut) coach Rick Lewis was placed on leave following an incident involving his athletes practicing in an untreated pool. During an October 18th practice, members of the Westhill-Stamford girls so-op swimming and diving team began complaining about pool conditions. However, practice went on as scheduled, which resulted in several girls later experiencing ‘adverse physical reactions.’ Tests discovered that the pool had no chlorine at the time the practice took place. Lewis has since been reinstated, after the investigation revealed that, while Westhill’s Head Custodian is certified to dispense pool chemicals to keep the pool safe, the janitor who took over pool maintenance this year has yet to take the necessary certification course.
Swim Rotorua Coach Stays On Another 4 Years.….New Zealand club Swim Rotorua has extended the employment of its top coach, Alastair Johnson, for an additional four years. As one of New Zealand’s top-ranked, gold-accredited coaches of the nation, Johnson has been with Swim Rotorua since 2012 and has led the squad to numerous broken records and a top 15 placement at the New Zealand Age Group Championships. Under Johnson’s tutelage, the club was recognized as a finalist for the ‘Bay of Plenty Sports Club of the Year’ award. “Keeping Alastair in Rotorua is huge for swimming in our district and we look forward to building our partnership even further with Swim Rotorua to help our young swimmers meet their goals,” said Aquatic Centre Manager David Pearce.