FINA Bans Chilean Federation of Aquatics Sport’s Former President for 20 Years over Tampered Invoices and False Information
The Chilean Federation of Aquatics Sport’s former president, Marcos Jara, has been slapped with a 20-year ban by the Aquatics Integrity Unit of World Aquatics. This punishment was handed down after Jara was found to have breached the FINA Code of Conduct on two occasions and the FINA Code of Ethics on one occasion.
Jara’s suspension came following his submission of tampered invoices and false information to World Aquatics in an attempt to obtain additional funds through the Olympic Aquatics Support Program in 2020 and 2021. Despite his dishonest efforts, he managed to receive $50,000 USD before an investigation was launched.
On August 25th, 2023, Jara was officially charged with his violation and his ban will remain in effect until August 25th, 2043. Under the terms of his suspension, Jara is prohibited from engaging in any aquatic-related activities on behalf of World Aquatics or any affiliated organization. He has also been fined $50,000 to repay the misappropriated funds.
Jara is not alone in facing disciplinary action from World Aquatics. In recent months, other officials such as Aleksandar Malenko, former president of the National Swimming Federation of North Macedonia and Taha Sulaiman Al Kishry, former chairman of the Arab Swimming Federation have also received bans or suspensions for similar violations.
Coaches and administrators of Guam Swimming Federation, Christopher Duenas and Andrew Ho Lee were banned for three years for violating World Aquatics’ integrity code earlier this year. Jara served as president of Chilean Federation of Aquatics Sport from 2019 to 2021.
