Given the recent announcement of the removal of the 25km event at the 2023 FINA World Championships in Fukuoka, many in the swimming community has been  up in arms with the situation.

Athletes, coaches and representatives had no input and a sport defining decision was made without the involvement of the public. In what is meant to be a new athlete centred era in FINA their actions are hypocritical.

The reasoning behind the removal of the event is claimed to be the low participation in the event and the funds associated for the organising comittee. However, it can be argued that this is FINA’s doing:

-More swimmers compete in the 25km than the 1500m (Men’s), 400im (Women’s), 200fly (W), 200bk (W), 1500m (W).

-less than 24hour turnaround time between 10km and 25km events for most athletes.

-Poor coverage quality and commentators affecting entertainment value.

-Poor marketing of the event on social media. 

Countless open water athletes train for this subset in open water swimming. The 25km is a very different discipline than the 5km and 10km and requires  unique training and skill. Just as Ultramarathon is in running and Ironman is in triathlon, the 25km is the Ultramarathon Swimming distance that had been the standard for decades. We cannot allow our sport to be reduced any further especially for unfounded reasons.