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There is confusion over who will become president of the Italian Swimming Federation just six months before the Paris Olympics
MILAN – With just six months until the start of the Paris Olympics, there is confusion over who will become president of the Italian Swimming Federation.
World Swimming on Wednesday challenged the Italian federation’s statement that suspended president Paolo Valeri would resume his duties after the Court of Arbitration for Sport accepted his appeal.
Valeri was suspended for two years in September 2022 on suspicion of financial fraud, and lost his appeal at CAS the following year.
“World Aquatics is concerned and regrets the media reports and claims made by the Italian Swimming Federation (FIN) that Paolo Barelli will return to the role of FIN president,” the governing body said.
“Following the decision of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) of September 15, 2023, Mr. Valeri will continue to remain under the auspices of World Aquatics or its members until September 14, 2024, despite the recent CAS decision. “The suspension from all swimming-related activities held in the United States remains in effect.” ”
FIN announced on Wednesday that another appeal had been upheld by CAS and that Valeri “continues as president of the Italian Swimming Federation with full rights and privileges.”
CAS says it has completely cleared Valeri of any wrongdoing. CAS has not yet published its decision.
World Swimming stressed that breaches of the suspension could result in new sanctions.
“Finally, the CAS decision means that all charges and suspicions that tried to tarnish my image as a sports director and a politician are canceled,” said Valeri, 69. “I have always believed in the end result of justice.”
The Olympics will open in Paris on July 26, with the first swimming competition scheduled for the following day.
“With the Paris Games approaching, we will be able to jump back into the competition without wasting any more energy needed to defend ourselves from baseless and defamatory accusations,” Barelli added.
“However, I will definitely prosecute those who attacked me and the honored federation that I preside over.”
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AP Paris Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-games
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