News Round-Up:

Netherlands: Long-time FINA Bureau member Klaas van de Pol (NED) passed away aged 87 yesterday. An announcement from the international swim federation read: "FINA announces with great sadness the loss of its Honorary Member Klaas van de Pol (NED), who passed away on January 23, 2012 at the age of 87.  Mr. Van de Pol had been FINA Honorary Treasurer from 1980 to 1992, becoming a Honorary Member since 1996. A very respected aquatic leader in his home country, The Netherlands, Mr. Van de Pol was essential in the promotion of women’s water polo worldwide and has also played an important role in the development of the early stages of marketing applied to Aquatics. For his outstanding contribution to our International Federation, he was awarded the FINA Gold Pin in 1988.  To his family, friends, and to the entire aquatic community in The Netherlands, FINA addresses its sincere condolences." From LEN came the following tribute: "Klaas was a Member of the LEN Bureau from 1970 to 1994, LEN Treasurer from 1978 to 1986, and President from 1986 to 1990. His great contribution to European Aquatics throughout his entire life of dedication was constant to the very end. He was just about to attend the European Water Polo Championships in Eindhoven and we deeply regret not having him with us."

Kuwait: Abdul Rehaman Al Bader (KUW) has been slapped with a six-month ban. FINA announced: "On October 19, 2011, a swimmer Abdul Rehaman Al Bader (KUW) was tested positive to the substance Methylhexaneamine (Class S.6 Stimulants) following a doping control test conducted with the occasion of the 1st GCC Games-Bahrain 11. The Kuwait Anti-Doping Disciplinary Commission (KADDC) imposed a sanction of 6 months’ ineligibility on the athlete starting on October 19, 2011." That makes three in a row for that particular substance, Fabiola Molina's extended suspension having followed a ban on Boris Loncaric (CRO), reported by FINA as follows: "On July 2, 2011, a swimmer Boris Loncaric (CRO) was tested positive to the substance Methylhexaneamine (Class S.6 Stimulants) following a doping control test conducted with the occasion of the “Golden Bear” International Swimming Competition. The Disciplinary Committee of the Croatian Swimming Federation imposed a sanction of 4 months’ ineligibility on the athlete which began on July 2, 2011." Nasal sprays and other decongestants contain the substance, in particularly high doses in the US, while advice on not taking such substances is legion for those in the world of elite swimming.