Marcos Jara, the former president of the Chilean Federation of Aquatics Sport, has been slapped with a 20-year ban by the Aquatics Integrity Unit of World Aquatics. The sanction was imposed after Jara was found to have violated the FINA Code of Conduct on two occasions and the FINA Code of Ethics on one occasion.
Jara’s ban came after he submitted tampered invoices and false information to World Aquatics in an attempt to receive additional funds through the Olympic Aquatics Support Program. Despite his dishonest efforts, Jara managed to obtain $50,000 USD before an investigation was launched.
Formally charged on August 25, 2023, Jara’s ban will be in effect until August 25, 2043. As part of his punishment, Jara is prohibited from participating in any aquatic-related activities on behalf of World Aquatics or any other affiliated organization. Additionally, he has 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 charges.
Recently coaches and administrators from Guam Swimming Federation Christopher Duenas and Andrew Ho Lee were banned for three years for violating World Aquatics’ integrity code. This incident serves as a reminder that ethical behavior is paramount in all sports organizations.
It’s important to note that Jara served as president of the Chilean Federation of Aquatics Sport from 2019 to 2021.