🌍 CMAS’ Position on Freediving

(Sportalsub.net / CMAS) – Leer en Español

“CMAS is the sole world governing body for all underwater sport disciplines, fully recognized as such by the International Olympic Committee. Indeed, CMAS is full member of ARISF—Association of IOC-Recognized International Sport Federations and of the IWGA—International World Games Association. CMAS carries on its activities and pursues its scopes under the umbrella of the Olympic Movement and in compliance with the Olympic Charter.

CMAS members are National Sport Federations, recognized by the corresponding local National Olympic Committees or equivalent public sport entities at national level. So far CMAS has membership of more than 120 national federations, covering the entire Globe.
CMAS is the only sport federation entitled by the Olympic Charter to name its international sport tournaments “World Championships” and award the corresponding World Titles, with full effect and validity worldwide within the Olympic Movement either at a national and international level.

CMAS is a signatory to WADA and hence applies the WADA-Code and enforces it vis-à-vis its athletes, teams, officials and member National Federations. Yet, CMAS’ fight against doping is not only aimed to sanction the use of prohibited substances or methods, but also expands to the safety of athletes and the preservation of their well-being by also adopting protective measures. And in fact, although not contemplated by the WADA Code-related list, CMAS has banned certain substances such as sildenafil and benzodiazepines, also adopting enforcement measures and rules, based on the experiences and processes provided for in the WADA-Code. Such actions represent a solid answer to the need of transparency, athletes’ safety and fairness in sport and aims also to ensuring a proper balance of competition between all the athletes.

CMAS is fully committed to growing the Freediving movement worldwide and has resolved to launch the best freediving tournament to be known as World Series of Freediving and to see its first event in 2024. At the same time, CMAS is adopting all the necessary means and educational tools to grow freediving from roots and up to the top levels at a global level.

Considering all the above, and following the recent developments at the AIDA international freediving event in Bahamas (we were the only ones to take immediate action) and the following event in Cyprus, which appear to be far from the CMAS standards, we have resolved to discontinue further cooperation with AIDA. We will increase the efforts of the CMAS, strengthen our commitment to promote Freediving under CMAS aegis of clean, safe sport governance, until its possible for its inclusion in the Olympic Games.
We are “the home” to all freedivers.”

Source: CMAS Facebook

Last Updated on October 16, 2023