USA NEWS: MICHAEL PHELPS NAMED ASSOCIATED PRESS MALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

PHOENIX, Arizona, RENANG INDONESIA. MICHAEL Phelps has been named the Male Athlete of the Year by The Associated Press, continuing a year of accolades that include the titles Greatest Olympian of All Time andSwimming World Magazine World Male Athlete of the Year.

Perhaps the news comes as no great shock to the swimming community at large, given his monumental feats not only in 2012, but over a 12-year elite competitive career. It's his second time he's been honored with Male Athlete of the Year by the AP amidst a legendary group of athletes, having first won the award back in 2008. Though the results of voting in 2008 were likely close to a landslide, given that Phelps had just achieved the miraculous with eight gold medals in Beijing, it was not that easy in 2012.

Phelps, 27, received 40 votes for the award by AP's American editors and broadcasters, just barely beating out basketball star LeBron James, who got 37 votes. Runner Usain Bolt, who jockeyed with Phelps for media attention at the Olympics, was third with 23 votes. 

The name of the 2012 female athlete of the year has not yet been announced. Swimming could have a few names in the running with Olympic champions Missy Franklin, Katie Ledecky and Allison Schmitt likely to have impressed AP voters this year.

Carl Lewis was the only other Olympic athlete to win twice. Those who have received the honor more than twice are likely resting easy, knowing that Phelps announced his retirement. Tiger Woods and Lance Armstrong received the award four times, while Michael Jordan won three.

"Obviously, it's a big accomplishment," Phelps told AP's Paul Newberry today. "There's so many amazing male athletes all over the world and all over our country. To be able to win this is something that just sort of tops off my career."

Below are some of the landmark accomplishments Phelps achieved just this year:

Six medals at the London Olympics, four of which were gold;

Furthered his reign as the most-decorated Olympian with 22 total medals, and secured his spot as the winningest Olympian with 18 golds, equal to the most medals of any color won by anyone in history;

The first male to win the same individual event at the Olympics three consecutive times, doing it twice in the 200 individual medley and 100 butterfly;

The first male to win the same event at three consecutive Olympics, doing it three times in the 200 freestyle, 200 butterfly and 200 individual medley.

Phelps is part of a rich tradition of swimmers to win AP Athlete of the Year. Among the men, Don Schollander was the first after his four gold medals in 1964, followed by Mark Spitz in 1972 after his 7-for-7 haul in Munich. Among the women, Helene Madison was the first recipient of the female honor in 1931, followed by Katherine Rawls in 1937. Gloria Callen in 1942 and Ann Curtis in 1944 kept the tradition going. In 1962, Dawn Fraser won the award and Debbie Meyers earned the honor in 1969. Amy van Dyken was the last swimmer not named "Phelps" to win the award, which she did following her amazing performances at the 1996 Olympics.

Phelps continues to enjoy retirement, according to The Associated Press. He's in Mexico with golf coach Hank Haney, working on his game and filming segments for the upcoming season of "The Haney Project" on the Golf Channel. (swimmingworld)

Istanbul consecrates Ryan Lochte (USA) and Katinka Hosszu (HUN)

USA men's relay

Istanbul (TUR), AKUATIK INDONESIA, December 16, 2012 – The 11th edition of the FINA World Swimming Championships (25m) came to an end this Sunday in Istanbul (TUR), consecrating Ryan Lochte (USA) and Katinka Hosszu (HUN) as best male and female swimmers of the competition. Ryan Lochte (USA) earned an unprecedented number of eight medals in Istanbul (the best ever in a single edition of this event) and has now an accumulated number of 30 awards in these championships, since his first appearance in Indianapolis in 2004. His successes in Turkey were: 1st 200m Free, 1st 4x100m free, 3rd 100m fly, 1st 4x200m free, 1st 200m IM, 2nd 200m back, 1st 100m IM, and 1st 4x100m medley. Moreover, he was the only swimmer to establish new World Records in Istanbul: first in the final of the 200m IM (1:49.63) and then in the semi-finals of the 100m IM (50.71). The performances of Lochte decisively helped USA to also gain the title of the Best Team of the championships.

Among women, the FINA Trophy went to Hungary’s Katinka Hosszu, who earned five medals in the five-day event: 1st 200m fly, 3rd 400m IM, 1st 100m IM, 2nd 200m IM, and 2nd 200m free. The winner of the 2012 FINA/ARENA Swimming World Cup demonstrated her immense versatility in the pool, ending in the best possible way an impressive 25m season.

In Istanbul, many remarkable performances were achieved and besides the two WR of Lochte, 18 Championships Records were bettered (11 among women, and seven in the men’s field).

In terms of the medal table, USA clearly dominated the operations, with a total of 27 awards (11 gold, 8 silver and 8 bronze). The top-5 still includes China (3+5+3), Hungary (3+4+3), Denmark (3+2+5) and Russia (2+3+4). 25 countries had athletes with medals – only the 2002 edition in Moscow (RUS) had been more prolific, with 26 nations. Moreover, four new National Federations had their first medalled swimmers in the history of the competition: Lithuania, with the new breaststroke queen Ruta Meilutyte; Jamaica, and the excellent Alia Atkinson (two silver medals in the women’s 50m and 100m breast); Faroe Islands – bronze medal of Pal Joensen in the men’s 1500m free; and Trinidad and Tobago, thanks to the bronze medal of George Bovell in the men’s 100m IM. 

The FINA President Dr. Julio C. Maglione highlighted the success of the FINA World Swimming Championships (25m) in Istanbul and handed over the FINA flag to the next organisers of the competition, the city of Doha in Qatar.

“The FINA Family lived an unforgettable competition, highlighted by many remarkable performances. Confirmed stars and new revelations have demonstrated the vitality and progress of Swimming in the five continents. This success is mostly due to the hard work of our 202 National Federations worldwide. They all deserve our gratitude and appreciation”, he considered. Dr. Maglione concluded by saying: “Many countries were represented at the medal’s table of these championships, and some new nations had the opportunity to shine at the highest level. Swimming is developing fast, attracting more youth and generating an increased number of stars in the five continents. This is fundamental for the improvement of the value and image of FINA and its aquatic sports worldwide”.

ISTANBUL 2012 MEDALS TABLE
			G		S		B		T
1.	USA		11		8		8		27
2.	CHN		3		5		3		11
3.	HUN		3		4		3		10
4.	DEN		3		2		5		10
5.	RUS		2		3		4		9
6.		ITA		2		2		-		4
7.		GER		2		1		1		4
8.		JPN		2		1		1		4
9.		LTU		2		1		-		3
10.		AUS		1		5		3		9
11.		GBR		1		2		3		6
12.		RSA		1		1		-		2
13.		ESP		1		-		2		3
14.		BRA		1		-		1		2
15.		NZL		1		-		1		2
16.		POL		1		-		1		2
17.		BLR		1		-		-		1
18.		NOR		1		-		-		1
19.		UKR		1		-		-		1
20.		JAM		-		2		-		2
21.		SLO		-		2		-		2
22.		FRA		-		1		1		2
23.		CZE		-		-		1		1
24.		FAR		-		-		1		1
25.		TRI		-		-		1		1
				40		40		40		120

Ryan Lochte (USA) sets first WR in Istanbul

AKUATIK INDONESIA. On day 3 at the 11th FINA World Swimming Championships (25m), the first World Record was established by Ryan Lochte (USA) in the men’s 200m individual medley tonight. The swimming star touched first in 1:49.63, becoming the first to complete the distance in less than 1:50 minutes. The day was also highlighted by four Championships Records: two set by Nicholas Santos (BRA) in the heats (22.40, equalled) and the semis (22.23) of the men’s 50m butterfly: one from Daniel Gyurta (HUN), who brilliantly won the men’s 200m breaststroke in 2:01.35, and a fourth set by teammate Katinka Hosszu in the women’s 100m IM (58.49).

With so many successes, Hungary is presently second in the championships’ medal table, totalling seven medals (three gold, one silver and three bronze). Team USA dominates the chart with a total 17 awards (7, 4, 6) – besides Lochte’s gold, USA earned three silver and two bronze medals throughout the evening’s session.

The day was also prolific for the German team, with Britta Steffen's win in the women’s 100m free and Paul Biederman's victory in the men’s 400m free. The remaining titles went to Denmark in the women’s 4x100m medley relay (the country has already earned five medals in Istanbul), to Vladimir Morozov (RUS) in a thrilling men’s 50m free final, to Spain’s Melanie Costa Schmid in the women’s 400m free (marked by the absence of WR holder Camille Muffat), to China’s Ying Lu in the 'lottery' of the women’s 50m butterfly, and to Daryna Zevina (UKR), winning the women’s 200m backstroke in convincing fashion.

Istanbul Medals Table after day 3

NF	GOLD	SILVER	BRONZE	TOTAL
USA	7	4	6	17
HUN	3	1	3	7
GER	2	1	1	4
CHN	1	4	3	8
DEN	1	2	2	5
RUS	1	2	1	4
GBR	1	1	1	3
ITA	1	1	0	2
JPN	1	1	0	2
LTU	1	1	0	2
ESP	1	0	1	2
NZL	1	0	1	2
RSA	1	0	0	1
UKR	1	0	0	1
AUS	0	2	2	4
FRA	0	1	0	1
JAM	0	1	0	1
SLO	0	1	0	1
BRA	0	0	1	1
CZE	0	0	1	1
	23	23	23	69

FINA WORLD SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS (25M) USA wins three gold on Day 1 in Istanbul

women 200m fly

Pedro Adrega and Sarah Chiarello, FINA Communications Department

AKUATIK INDONESIA-The 11th FINA World Swimming Championships (25m) have started in Istanbul (TUR) under the domination of USA, who won three out of the five gold medals at stake in the inaugural day. Ryan Lochte was the best in the men’s 200m free and also gave his precious contribution to the triumph of his team in the 4x100m free relay. In the last event of the evening, the United States repeated the 2004 success in the women’s 4x200m free. The other individual winners of the day were Katinka Hosszu (HUN) in the women’s 200m butterfly and Hannah Miley (GBR) in the 400m IM. 

The initial day in the Turkish metropolis was also marked by five Championships Records: in the morning, the 2012 Olympic revelation Ruta Meilutyte (LTU) clocked 29.56 in the heats of the women’s 50m breaststroke, a time she improved in the semis of the event (29.51). The triumph of Hosszu and Miley was also accompanied by a new best mark of the competition - 2:02.20 and 4:23.14, respectively. Finally, and despite a Championships Record of 45.52 in the first leg of the men’s 4x100m free, set by Vladimir Morozov, Russia only finished fourth in the event.

Fastest in the heats and winner of this event in 2010, Ryan Lochte (USA) was naturally the favourite for the victory in the men’s 200m free, also taking into account his excellent performance (five medals) at the 2012 Olympics in London. Despite the presence of world record holder Paul Biedermann (GER) in lane 3, the US star controlled the race and got the gold in 1:41.92. Biedermann still tried a final acceleration but finished second in 1:42.07. The bronze went to the second US swimmer of the final, Conor Dwyer (1:43.78). The best performer of the year, France’s Yannick Agnel is not present in Istanbul. 

"I was a little shaky in the first 50m, I was kind of swimming everyone's race but not my own race, I was really relaxed and I only started to do my underwaters in the last 50m. Anytime you win gold it's a great feeling, but I thought I could have gone a lot faster, fortunately I got another shot at it in the relay", said Lochte on his race.

On his passion for swimming and his multi-event ability: "It's just something I have been wanting to do since I was a little kid, the reason why I love swimming so much is racing, and that's why I pick so many events and train that way so that I can race all those events. That's what I find is fun about swimming."

"I want to make swimming bigger than what it is, I want to change the sport: air on TV all over the world, top sport at the Olympics, meets every year", he concluded.

Paul Biedermann also analysed the 200m free race: "I am happy with my race. In short course, the guy with the better turns will win, which is Ryan (Lochte). I was surprised that it was this close."

Katinka Hosszu (HUN), the winner of the 2012 FINA/ARENA Swimming World Cup, had established the best performance of the season in the heats of the women’s 200m butterfly, in a time of 2:04.19 and got the gold in the final with a faster time of 2:02.20, a new Championships Record (in 2010, Mireia Belmonte, from Spain, had won in 2:03.59). It was the first 25m world medal for the Magyar swimmer – and also the first ever medal for this country at women’s events in the history of these championships -, who was the 2009 champion (long course) in this same event. However, it was a hard fight against Jemma Lowe (GBR), silver medallist two years ago and the first until the 150m mark. In the end, Lowe got the bronze in 2:03.19, while Liuyang Jiao (CHN) finished second in 2:02.28. Zige Liu, the world record holder, was only fourth.

“I was pretty happy but I was a little bit dead in the final metres. I was still eight hundredths of a second faster so it was a pleasure to set a European and championship record. It was a really close race, so I was happy to win it", declared Hosszu after her winning effort.

Jiao was also satisfied with the outcome of the race: "My result is much better than before so I was pleased, I gained a lot of confidence after the London Olympics."

Less than 15 minutes after receiving her gold medal for the 200m butterfly victory, Hosszu was again in action in the 400m IM. Swimming in lane 5, she had been second to Hannah Miley (GBR) in the heats – the British was also the fastest of the year, with a 4:23.47 effort in Chartres (FRA), at the European Championships. In lane 3, the sensation of the 2012 Olympic Games in London, China’s Shiwen Ye, gold medallist in the 200m and 400m IM. In the third final of the inaugural day in Istanbul, Hosszu was never in a position to get the gold, that went to Miley in a new Championships Record of 4:23.14 (Mireia Belmonte, from Spain, had clocked 4:24.21 in 2010). Miley, 23 years old, had been silver medallist in the 200m IM at the FINA World Championships in 2011 in Shanghai. Ye got the silver in 4:23.33, while Kosszu touched third in 4:25.95.

“The medley is all about tactics", declared Miley, before adding: "At the Olympics, everybody is out of their comfort zone, but here we have the luxury to be a bit more comfortable."

Shiwen Ye, the silver medallist was also happy: “It went OK. I always feel very tired at the beginning of a competition, it is always very hard. I didn’t even reach my personal best.”

Finally, Hosszu also left her impression on the race: "I felt pretty good coming to this meet, the FINA Swimming World Cup was a very good training for the short-course Worlds, I swam a lot of races. Today, I swam three races and I am looking forward to more swimming this week."

Winners of this event on three occasions, the United States got the gold once more in the men’s 4x100m free relay, in a time of 3:06.40. Thanks to Anthony Ervin, Ryan Lochte, James Feigen and Matt Grevers, the North Americans beat the Italians, the fastest of the heats. In the end, the European team clocked 3:07.07 for silver, while Australia arrived closely behind for bronze, in a time of 3:07.27. Russia and Brazil, respectively second and third in 2010, could not reach the podium in Istanbul. For the Russians, fourth, it was bitter final, as they were leading until the 600m mark, thanks to solid legs from Morozov (45.52, Championships Record), Evgeny Lagunov (46.58), Viatcheslav Andrusenko (47.65). But a less successful 100m from Artem Lobuzov (48.26) allowed USA to recover (Grevers, the last to swim for the North Americans, was two seconds faster, completing the four laps in 46.23). France, the winner two years ago, was the illustrious absent at these Championships.

"The relay was the hardest one to get, it was my third event, no time to warm down, coming into that relay, I was really tired, but I had to do it for the team", said Lochte after the win.

Gold medallist in Dubai 2010 with a new World Record, China could not repeat this success in the last final of the day in Istanbul, the women’s 4x200m free relay. This time, the team of United States, composed by Megan Romano, Chelsea Chenault, Shannon Vreeland and Allison Schmitt, got the third gold of the session, touching first in 7:39.25. The North Americans had won this event for the last time in their home Championships in Indianapolis in 2004. Russia “compensated” the men’s frustration by making its first appearance in the podium in this event, grabbing silver in 7:42.77, while China concluded third for bronze, in 7:43.26. (fina)

ISTANBUL 2012 MEDALS TABLE

AFTER DAY 1

1.	USA	3	-	1	4
2.	GBR	1	-	1	2
3.	HUN	1	-	1	2
4.	CHN	-	2	1	3
5.	GER	-	1	-	1

Ryan Lochte Raih Medali Emas

RENANG INDONESIA-Perenang America Serikat Ryan Lochte memenangkan nomor 200 meter gaya bebas dalam kejuaraan renang dunia nomor jarak pendek (25m) di Istanbul, Turki, Rabu (12/12).

Bintang renang putra Olimpiade Ryan Lochte memenangkan nomor 200 meter gaya bebas hari Rabu dalam kejuaraan renang dunia nomor jarak pendek di Istanbul, Turki.

Lochte mencatat waktu 1 menit, 41,92 detik di Sinan Erdem Dome. Paul Biedermann dari Jerman finish di tempat kedua dengan waktu 1:42.07, sementara Conor Dwyer dari Amerika di tempat ketiga dengan catatan waktu 1:43.78.

Lochte memenangkan enam medali emas dan satu perak ketika Dubai menjadi tuan rumah kejuaraan renang dunia nomor jarak pendek tahun 2010. Ia meraih lima medali dalam Olimpiade London, termasuk dua medali emas.

Kejuaraan renang dunia di Turki itu akan berakhir hari Minggu (16/12)

ISTANBUL 2012 MEDALS TABLE

AFTER DAY 1

1.	USA	3	-	1	4
2.	GBR	1	-	1	2
3.	HUN	1	-	1	2
4.	CHN	-	2	1	3
5.	GER	-	1	-	1

17th FINA World Sports Medicine Congress starts in Istanbul

AKUATIK INDONESIA-The 17th FINA World Sports Medicine Congress was officially opened by FINA President Dr. Julio C. Maglione today in Istanbul (TUR), two days before the start of the 11th FINA World Swimming Championships (25m) in the Turkish metropolis. The two-day Congress, under the general theme “Enhancing Performance – The Healthy Aquatic Athlete”, gathers many experts in the area of sports medicine and is attended by more than 120 delegates from the five continents.
Numerous topics in this area will be discussed, including the ethical use of drugs in sport, prevention of injuries in aquatic athletes, the role of the coaches and team physicians and the needs of competitors, dietary challenges, periodical health evaluation, analysis of different problems in each of the aquatic disciplines, biological passport, training at altitude, or mental health issues.

While addressing the delegates his welcome speech, the FINA President considered: “The topics discussed here in Istanbul basically relate to the high performance sport and we sincerely hope that this event will be a privileged platform to exchange ideas and to benefit from everyone’s experiences. The main goal is to create the best conditions for our athletes to develop and improve their top-level results in our five aquatic disciplines”, said Dr. Maglione.

“Behind every top performance, inevitably appear the name of the competitor or his coach – sports medicine experts are not mentioned. But your role is fundamental and please allow me to thank you for your valuable contribution”, added the FINA President to the audience, mostly composed by sports medicine specialists.
The first presentation of the Congress (the Bleasdale Lecturer) was done by Dr. Richard Budgett, Chief Medical Officer at the 2012 Olympic Games in London and recently appointed as IOC Medical Director. He recalled the logistic operation related to all sports medicine aspects at the Games, reinforcing the positive co-operation received on this matter by FINA.

Windsor (CAN) will host 2016 FINA World Swimming Championships (25m)

Istanbul (TUR), RENANG INDONESIA, December 11, 2012 – The FINA Bureau awarded today the organisation of the 13th FINA World Swimming Championships (25m) in 2016 to the city of Windsor (Ontario, Canada). For this event, bidding interest had also been received from the city of Hong Kong (Hong Kong, China), Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) and Ashgabat (Turkmenistan).

“I warmly congratulate the city of Windsor, the Aquatic Federation of Canada and Swimming Canada! I am sure we will have a great FINA World Swimming Championships (25m) in 2016”, declared FINA President Dr. Julio C. Maglione, when announcing the decision of the Bureau.

This news was enthusiastically received by the Mayor of Windsor, Eddie Francis, present in Istanbul to introduce its city bid. "We are aware of the FINA strength in the world of sports and this fantastic outcome will help transform our city and strengthen our passion for sport”, stated Mr. Francis. “When the world comes to Windsor for these championships, all the visitors will be positively surprised by the vitality of our city and region, the diversity of her communities and her generous hospitality. These characteristics were essential in our successfully bid and will serve us well as we get ready to host a great World Championships in 2016”, he concluded.

Also thrilled with this result was Pierre Lafontaine, CEO of Swimming Canada. “We like to bring the world to us, and this will be a privileged occasion to have the best among the best in Canada. This kind of events truly inspires the country and its youth – and this was our main goal behind this bid”, said Lafontaine. “The energy and dynamism of Mayor Francis in creating this dream for his community was essential in this positive result. In terms of the impact for swimming in Canada, it will be also amazing”, he concluded.

Before the 2016 edition in Windsor, the 12th FINA World Swimming Championships, in 2014, will take place in the city of Doha (QAT)

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS KICK OFF TOMORROW IN TURKEY, FIVE DAYS OF FAST SWIMMING IN STORE

PHOENIX, Arizona, AKUATIK INDONESIA, December 11. TOMORROW begins a marathon five days of competition at the FINA Short Course World Championships in Istanbul, Turkey. According to Ahmet Bozdogan, the Chairman of the Turkish Swimming Federation, a record number of athletes will be in attendance: 1,100 swimmers representing 162 countries. An additional 9 countries are sending athletes this year, up from 153 countries in 2010. The 25-meter championship meet is held every two years, the last of which was in Dubai.

Athletes from around the globe are already situated in Istanbul, getting used to time zone and facility differences before diving into the water to race tomorrow at the Sinan Erdem Arena. Swimmers Tweeted out pictures of the venue, revamped and decorated for the event. USA Swimming embedded a picture of Team USA's last practice before tomorrow's kick-off, as well: 

Dibuka untuk Umum, Bupati Bengkalis Tinjau Kolam Renang Wonosari

Bupati Herliyan Saleh meninjau kolam renang Wonosari yang dikelola BUMD PT BLJ. Sarana olahraga tersebut terbuka untuk umum.

BENGKALIS- AKUATIK INDONESIA-Impian masyarakat Kota Bengkalis menikmati fasilitas kolam renang berstandar, akhirnya terwujud. Terhitung sejak Ahad (9/12/12), fasilitas yang dibangun Pemkab Bengkalis dan dikelola BUMD PT. Bumi Laksamana Jaya (BLJ) Bengkalis ini resmi dibuka untuk umum.

Bupati Bengkalis Herliyan Saleh didampingi sejumlah pimpinan SKPD meninjau langsung kondisi kolam renang yang selesai dibangun sejak 2010 lalu. Bupati berharap dengan dioperasikan kolam ini bisa dijadikan sarana rekreasi bagi masyarakat Kota Bengkalis dan sekitarnya.

Manajer Humas dan CSR PT BLJ Haspian Tehe mengatakan, pengoperasian kolam renang yang dilakukan tersebut akan diberikan gratis 2 (dua) pekan kepada warga selama soft opening ini.

“Mulai hari ini kolam renang Wonosari sudah bisa dinikmati masyarakat. Selama dua minggu kita berikan gratis selama soft opening ini,” katanya.

Memperkenalkan kepada masyarakat, PT. BLJ juga dalam dua pekan ini mengundang sejumlah sekolah secara bergantian. Masing-masing sekolah diundang untuk mengirimkan 50 siswa.

“Selain untuk umum, akan kita gilir selama dua minggu ini untuk mencoba kolam renang tersebut siswa SMA,” katanya lagi.

Pengoperasian kolam renang ini, PT. BLJ Bengkalis memakai jasa konsultan dari Bogor untuk mendampingi para karyawan yang telah dilatih agar menjalankan sistem operasi prosedur pengelolaan kolam renang.

Sementara itu, direncanakan untuk tiket masuk yang akan diberlakukan nanti untuk hari Senin-Jumat sebesar Rp15.000. Sedangkan hari Minggu dan Sabtu sebesar Rp 20.000. “Harga ini belum final harus perhitungkan lebih matang lagi,” imbuh Haspian. (Riauterkini)

Italy (men) and Greece (women) crowned champions in Perth (AUS)

Lausanne (SUI), AKUATIK INDONESIA-December 9, 2012 – The nine-day competition featuring 34 (15 women’s and 19 men’s) water polo teams concluded on a high note at Perth’s Challenge Stadium, Western Australia, with Italy and Greece crowned as new World Youth Champions for men and women, respectively.

In the men’s competition, Italy was too strong for Hungary (10-8) in the final match taking place on Sunday December 9. The battle for the minor medal played out between Croatia and Serbia, with the Serbian squad winning by a one-goal advantage (8-7) in front of a cheering crowd.  

Among women, Greece imposed a crushing victory over Hungary (9-5) while Russia edged USA by one goal (13-12) for the bronze.

Russia’s Elvina Karimova was named the Most Valuable Player and was also the highest goal-scorer of the women’s tournament with 38 goals. The men’s Most Valuable Player was Toni Nemet (HUN) and the highest goal-scorer was Kirill Rustamov (UZB) with 37 goals.

Final Ranking Women

1. GREECE
2. HUNGARY
3. RUSSIA
4. USA; 5. CANADA; 6. NEW ZEALAND; 7. AUSTRALIA; 8. BRAZIL; 9. ITALY; 10. CZECH REPUBLIC; 11. SOUTH AFRICA; 12. UZBEKISTAN; 13. INDONESIA; 14. ZIMBABWE; 15. INDIA

Final Ranking Men

1. ITALY
2. HUNGARY
3. SERBIA
4. CROATIA; 5. GREECE; 6. ROMANIA; 7. AUSTRALIA; 8. USA; 9. BRAZIL; 10. NEW ZEALAND; 11. CANADA; 12. IRAN; 13. UZBEKISTAN; 14. EGYPT; 15. COLOMBIA; 16. KAZAKHSTAN; 17. SOUTH AFRICA; 18. TRINIDAD & TOBAGO; 19. PERU

Sumsel tuan rumah POM ASEAN 2014

Palembang AKUATIK INDONESIA - Sumatera Selatan menjadi tuan rumah Pekan Olahraga Mahasiswa (POM) ASEAN tahun 2014 setelah menyetujui permintaan Direktur Kelembagaan Direktorat Pendidikan Tinggi Kementerian Pendidikan dan Kebudayaan.

"Tanggal 18 Desember nanti akan ada perwakilan KONI dan pejabat daerah ke Laos untuk menerima pataka sebagai tuan rumah berikutnya karena negara itu menjadi pelaksana POM ASEAN 2012," kata Wakil Ketua Umum KONI Sumsel Dhenie Zainal di Palembang, Kamis, ketika ditanya respons Sumsel atas hasil rapat Badan Pembina Olahraga Mahasiswa (Bapomi) beberapa waktu lalu.

Ia menyatakan tawaran menjadi tuan rumah kejuaraan bergengsi antarmahasiswa se-Asia Tenggara itu disampaikan pada rapat koordinasi BAPOMI se-Indonesia, di Jakarta, 25-26 November 2012.

Meski saat itu sebatas lisan namun pemerintah provinsi langsung merespons positif. "Dalam waktu dekat akan dilayangkan surat resmi dari Komite Olahraga Nasional Indonesia (KONI) dan Pemerintah Provinsi Sumsel mengenai kesediaan menjadi tuan rumah POM ASEAN," katanya.

Setelah memperoleh kepastian, maka Direktur Kelembagaan Dirjen Dikti akan bertandang ke Palembang untuk menemui Gubernur Sumsel Alex Noerdin.

Penunjukan Sumsel dilandasi peran sebagai tuan rumah SEA Games 2011 serta memiliki kawasan olahraga standar internasional yakni Kompleks Olahraga Jakabaring.

"Kunjungan ke Laos nanti juga digunakan untuk studi banding persiapan menjadi tuan rumah," ujarnya.

Indonesia terakhir kali ditunjuk menjadi tuan rumah POM ASEAN pada 2004, lalu di Surabaya pada penyelenggaraan ke XII dengan diikuti 11 negara Asia Tenggara.

Sebelumnya Indonesia telah dua kali menjadi tuan rumah yakni, Jakarta (1983) dan Bandung (1993), serta sukses menjadi juara umum saat digelar di Thailand (1981) dan Jakarta (1983).

(ANTARA News) 

Dibutuhkan, Menpora "Full Time"

Andi dan atlet 

JAKARTA, AKUATIK INDONESIA - Mundurnya Andi Alfian Malarangeng diharap tidak membuat dunia olah raga Indonesia semakin terpuruk.

Semasa jabatannya, banyak persoalan dunia olah raga yang tak bisa diselesaikan. Persoalan bukan hanya merosotnya prestasi yang ditandai dengan kegagalan meraih medali emas Olimpiade London, kegagalan di Piala Thomas dan Uber serta kegagalan dalam diplomasi menggolkan Surabaya sebagai tuan rumah Asian Games 2019.

Namun di masa Menpora Andi Malarangeng persoalan dualisme  kepemimpinan juga tak kunjung mencapai kata sepakat. Soal dualisme KONI-KOI tentang lembaga olah raga paling representatif sampai dualisme PSSI-KPSI sebagai institusi sepakbola yang paling diakui.

Sebagai suatu lembaga pemerintah, Menpora memang bukan suatu lembaga yang memiliki kekuasaan tak terbatas.  Kewenangannya mencampuri urusan organisasi-organisasi olah raga dibatasi oleh indusk organisasi tertinggi olaha raga yang bersangkutan.

Karena itulah, Menpora atau pemerintah tidak punya wewenang mencampuri urusan PSSI dan KPSI yang sudah jelas berlarut-larut dan berimbas pada prestasi yang semakin memburuk. Begitu pun pada dualisme KONI dan KOI.

Sanksi yang dijatuhkan pada institusi sepakbola Brunei Darussalam oleh FIFA atau pun kepada komite olimpiade India oleh IOC karena dianggap adanya campur tangan pemerintah adalam pemilihan ketua menunjukkan hal tersebut bukan main-main dan dapat diakali.

SWaat mulai terpilih, figur Andi Malarangeng dengan kemampuan berpolitik dan kedekatannya dengan pusat kekuasaan yaitu Presiden diharap akan mampu "memaksa" pihak-pihak yang bertikai di induk organisasi mau duduk bersama dan menyelesaikan masalah.

Nyatanya hal itu tidak pernah terjadi.  Andi Malarangeng justru menjadi masalah sendiri dengan kasus Hambalang. Suatu kasus yang menunjukkan bagaimana buruknya situasi bila olah raga dimasuki politik kekuasaan dan uang.

Sekarang persoalannya, siapa yang layak menggantikan Andi Malarangeng untuk meluruskan kembali dunia olah raga kita? Siapa pun dia, baik figur dari dunia olah raga atau pun birokrat akan bermanfaat, bila ia menempatkan olah raga tersebut sebagai "panglima."

Olah raga adalah pilihan dalam hidup pribadi dan bernegara. Olah raga tidak dapat dijadikan hal  untuk "menyambi" atau "batu loncatan" dalam politik. Kegilaan publik Indoensia terhadap timnas di Piala AFF tersebut menunjukkan kita butuh para olah ragawan untuk memenuhi kebutuhan kita membuktikan diri sebagai bangsa yang bangga dan bermartabat.

Kita tentu tidak bisa lagi menerima  figur yang di tengah-tengah masa jabatannya mengisyaratkan bila boleh memilih bidang lain, dia mau dan  bersedia meletakkan jabatan. Dia harus orang yang tuntas dalam menjalani amanahnya. (Kompas.com)