Although swimming was included in the Olympic program from the very first Games of the modern era in 1896 in Athens, FINA the “Federation Internationale de Natation” was founded a few years later, in Manchester Hotel in London on the 19th of July 1908, on the occasion of the Olympic Games in London.Its main goal was to unify regulations and to no longer allow the organizing countries of the Cames to impose their own rules. The founding members of FINA were the British, Danish, Finnish, French, German, Hungarian and Swedish Swimming Federations.
George W. Hearn, at that time president of the British «Amateur Swimming Association», became the first person in charge with the title of Honorary Secretary/Treasurer. George W. Hearn served as Secretary/Treasurer of FINA until 1924 and Honorary President until his death in 1949.
George W. Hearn, at that time president of the British «Amateur Swimming Association», became the first person in charge with the title of Honorary Secretary/Treasurer. George W. Hearn served as Secretary/Treasurer of FINA until 1924 and Honorary President until his death in 1949.
