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Athletes Have Frischkneckt's Back

Jan 11, 2013

News Round-Up:

Portugal: Paulo Frischkneckt, the head of the Portuguese Swimming Federation (FPN), has won the support of more than 40 of what could be described as the most successful aquatic athletes in the nation's history in his fight to retain leadership. After a 19-19 tie in a December vote for the top job in Portuguese swimming, delegates will vote again tomorrow at a meeting just outside Lisbon. Frischknecht's rival is José António Silva, while the campaign against him is backed by long-time members of the coaching community. Frischkneckt, the Bureau liaison for the Coaches Commission of FINA, supported Jose Manuel Borges for the director of performance job in Portugal*, a move popular among athletes and younger coaches. Among the incumbent's supporters at the helm of several Olympic team members from London 2012 and Beijing 2008, Pedro Oliveira sums up the sentiments of many when he states in a campaign document: “I am sure that Paulo Frischknecht is the man best placed for the task as someone who comes from the elite end of the sport and is seeking to do the best possible job for swimming, as he has done over several years. I want to make my support for him official and unconditional."

France:  Mulhouse coach Lionel Horter, the head coach in France's leadership group of coaches, has thrown his name into the hat for the job of technical director to French swimming following the death of Christian Donze last October.

Italy: Alessia Filippi 2009 1500m freestyle world champion, will launch her political career this weekend. The 25-year-old, who retired from the race pool in October, will stand in local Rome elections as a candidate for the Partito Democratico.

Australia: US Olympian Alex Meyer is the latest international elite athlete to register for the 2013 BHP Billiton Aquatic Super Series Open Water Challenge to be held in the Swan River on Sunday January 20. Among others set to race are Kiwi Kane Radford. The home hopes are led by FINA World Cup gold medallist Rhys Mainstone and English Channel world record holder Trent Grimsey, victory holding the promise of a winner-takes-all $15,000 after the 10km battle. Jarrod Poort, who swam the 1500m at his first Olympics in London, will join the open water set for the 10km, while the women's race features Aussie ace Melissa Gorman. The deadline for entries is a week away, Friday January 18: