High Diving – FINA World Championships Kazan 2015

I would like to congratulate you on being selected by FINA for the above event and confirm that British Swimming has registered you, as required by FINA’s entry procedures, as the National Federation and member of FINA.

As you will be aware, since Barcelona 2013, High Diving has become a recognised aquatic discipline under FINA’s constitution. However, High Diving remains outside of British Swimming’s recognised activities and as such you will not be treated as a British Swimming team member and you will not be subject to any of the following:-

- Selection Agreement and Code of Conduct
- British Swimming Disciplinary Code
- ASA Child Protection Procedures

That said, the British Swimming Board is actively considering its position in relation to High Diving and it is expected that High Diving will be considered in some depth at the next Board meeting in September. The comments you made at our meeting in London will of course form part of the briefing to the Board.

As a result of British Swimming’s current position you will have to arrange your own insurance coverage as this will not be available to you as a participant in this event as High Diving is classed as an “excluded activity” under the Insurance Policy.

In addition you will have to arrange your own travel, accommodation, medical and / or any other support service that you may require. You will not receive British Swimming team kit and or receive any funding in the build up to the event, for participating in the event or as a result of participating in the event from British Swimming in any form.

Release of Claims

British Swimming is consenting to your entry, not to you individually or personally. There is no and will be no recommendation, endorsement or promotion of you as a participant in the event. You should not use this consent to or rely upon it to make a decision regarding your participation. The decision on whether or not to participate in this event is entirely your personal decision and you must make your own judgement and seek professional advice.

By signing and returning this letter you will be agreeing to having read and understood the information contained in the letter and that you understand that you are participating in the event entirely at your own risk and relieve British Swimming of any responsibility.
Further you release British Swimming and their respective executive members, directors, officers and employees from any liability (to the extent permitted by law) for any injury, loss or damage sustained to yourself as a result of participating in the event.
You also agree to take all reasonable measures to protect yourself from the risks of participation.
Declaration

You declare that you are not only fit enough to dive in the event but also that you are medically fit enough to participate.

Advice

You are entirely free to seek independent legal advice from your own legal representative or, alternatively, British Swimming can put you in touch with a specialist external law firm to advise you. You would be responsible for your own legal costs.

I would be grateful if you would return, by way of scan or post, a signed and dated copy of this letter to confirm receipt and of your understanding of your position. Alternatively, please provide an email stating “I have read and understood the information contained in the attached letter and understand I am participating at my own risk” together with a scan of your manuscript signature.

Finally, I would take this opportunity to wish you all the best for the competition.

Yours sincerely
David Sparkes
Chief Executive"

In pratica con queste parole la federazione britannica rende noto a Blake Aldrige e Gary Hunt che pur avendoli iscritti ai Campionati Mondiali di Kazan come richiesto dalla FINA, non li tratterà come atleti della nazionale anglosassone: niente spese di vitto e alloggio, niente materiale tecnico, niente assicurazione, niente di niente, che avrebbero affrontato le gare a loro rischio e pericolo, e che avrebbero dovuto firmare uno scarico di responsabilità verso la federazione.

Nella lettera si dice anche che la British Diving a settembre prenderà in esame la disciplina dei tuffi dalle grandi altezze, per decidere se inserirla - oppure no  - nelle discipline federali.

Una situazione non proprio idilliaca e le reazioni dei due atleti sui social network non si sono fatte attendere.

Gary Hunt:"Thanks to the Chief Executive of British Swimming for the letter of encouragement and motivation. (Two pages relieving them of any responsibility for us and explaining that we will not be treated as a team member.) Go team GB!" - "Grazie al Direttore tecnico della Federazione per la lettera di incoraggiamento (due pagine in cui ci spiegano che non saremo parte della squadra nazionale e che non si prenderanno alcuna responsabilità) Forza team GB".

Blake Aldridge:"What an embarrassment to us as a nation me and gary are 2 of the worlds best brave and courageous cliff/high divers and this is the appreciation and respect that we recieve from our U.K federation!!!! its pathetic and something really needs to change and be done about it.!!!!! - "Che imbarazzo per la nostra nazione, io e Gary siamo due tra i cliff/high divers più coraggiosi e questo è l'apprezzamento ed il rispetto che riceviamo dalla nostra federazione! E' patetico e bisognerà fare qualcosa a proposito!"

Ora che Gary Hunt è il nuovo campione del mondo si spera che qualcosa si muoverà in loro favore e dei tuffi dalle grandi altezze; se la Gran Bretagna dovesse cambiare la sua posizione potrebbe essere di esempio per tutte le altre federazioni: questi atleti come il nostro Alessandro De Rose meritano tutto il riconoscimento e l'attenzione che meritano.