FINA mourns the passing of one of its longest friends and collaborators, Maître François Carrard. As Director General of the IOC and then as the core of the sports practice at the Kellerhals Carrard law firm, he was instrumental in the professionalisation of the Olympic Movement. When François Carrard joined the IOC most international federations were predominantly voluntary organisations. FINA’s first permanent office had only opened a few years beforehand.
For more than 30 years, FINA Presidents and Secretaries General were fortunate enough to call on Maître Carrard's intellect and constant readiness to help. Our federation is immeasurably stronger for his wisdom and he was the architect of many of FINA’s improvements.
Maître Carrard chaired the FINA Reform Committee announced by President Husain Al-Musallam on his election day, June 5, and presented its findings in October of last year at the FINA Headquarters in Lausanne. With many of these findings currently being implemented, including the creation of an independent Aquatics Integrity Unit, François Carrard’s legacy will serve aquatics athletes and those who support them for many years to come.
Beyond his defining contribution to the way sport is run, Maître Carrard was a pillar of culture in the part of Switzerland that FINA calls home. He shared his love of jazz, for example, with millions via his leadership role at the Montreux Jazz Festival. He will be deeply missed. FINA would like to extend its deepest and most sincere condolences to the family, friends and closest colleagues of Maître Carrard.