The Chilean Federation of Aquatics Sport’s former president, Marcos Jara, has been issued a 20-year ban by the Aquatics Integrity Unit of World Aquatics. This punishment was handed down after Jara violated the FINA Code of Conduct on two occasions and the FINA Code of Ethics on one occasion.
Jara submitted tampered invoices and false information to World Aquatics in 2020 and 2021 in an attempt to obtain additional funds through the Olympic Aquatics Support Program. He was able to deceive the organization and received $50,000 USD before an investigation began. On August 25, 2023, he was officially charged with his wrongdoing and his ban will be in effect until August 25, 2043. As part of his punishment, he is not allowed to participate in any aquatic-related activities on behalf of World Aquatics or any affiliated organization. Additionally, Jara must repay $50,000 for the misappropriated funds.
Jara’s punishment is not unique as other officials have also faced disciplinary action from World Aquatics in recent months. For instance, Aleksandar Malenko from North Macedonia’s National Swimming Federation and Taha Sulaiman Al Kishry from the Arab Swimming Federation received bans or suspensions for similar reasons. In addition to these individuals, coaches and administrators from Guam’s Swimming Federation were banned for three years for violating World Aquatics’ integrity code.