8 June 2021: Global Athlete is thrilled with today’s launch of International Swimmers’ Alliance, an athlete association that will stand for athletes and provide independent representation to swimmers worldwide.

We are committed to continually advocating for and supporting independent athlete associations that are developed by athletes, for athletes. Today’s announcement is an important step forward for swimming athletes, but also an important message to athletes in other sports that collectively working together to place athletes’ interest first is the way of the future.

“Global Athlete is looking forward to our partnership with the International Swimmers’ Alliance who now join the ranks of the Athletics Association, our other international partner set up to serve track and field athletes. The future of sport will benefit immensely by working with independent athlete representative groups and we are pleased to have supported the official launch of the International Swimmers’ Alliance led by Olympian Matt Biondi,” said Rob Koehler, Global Athlete Director General.

The International Swimmers’ Alliance objectives are to promote the advancement of all swimmers in the sport, improve relations with governing bodies and event organizers as well as improve the economic conditions of swimmers, which are critical to athlete safety and wellbeing.

Global Athlete is committed to working together with the International Swimmers’ Alliance and fully supports the need for athletes to be represented by this new independent model. Sport needs to be held accountable for decisions, but more importantly needs to place athletes’ rights first in all decisions.

As an organization aiming to inspire athletes and drive change across the world of sport, we remain committed to helping other international athlete groups organize. Global Athlete provides start up support to assist in establishing and launching independent athlete representation models.

Click here for the International Swimmers’ Alliance media release

For more information on the International Swimmers’ Alliance: internationalswimmersalliance.org

Media inquires: contact@internationalswimmersalliance.org

Global Athlete: www.globalathlete.org