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The start of something extraordinary

PR 1 - ATHLETES OF THE YEAR 2012

Lausanne (SUI), January 4, 2013 – For the third consecutive time, FINA selected the female and male Athletes of the Year in its five aquatic disciplines. In an initiative promoted by the “FINA Aquatics World Magazine” and after collecting the votes from the 202 National Member Federations, media and aquatic experts, FINA’s Athletes of 2012 are:

SWIMMING

Men: Michael Phelps (USA)
2012 Olympic champion in 200m IM, 100m fly, 4x100m medley, 4x200m free; Olympic silver medallist in 200m fly and 4x100m free

Women: Missy Franklin (USA)
2012 Olympic champion in 200m back, 100m back, 4x200m free and 4x100m medley; Olympic bronze medallist in 4x100m free

DIVING

Men: Ilya Zakharov (RUS)
2012 Olympic champion in 3m springboard and silver medallist in 3m springboard synchro

Women: Wu Minxia (CHN)
2012 Olympic champion in 3m springboard and 3m springboard synchro

WATER POLO

Men: Josip Pavic (CRO)
2012 Olympic champion; 2012 World League winner

Women: Maggie Steffens (USA)
2012 Olympic champion; 2012 World League winner

SYNCHRONISED SWIMMING

Natalia Ishchenko (RUS)
2012 Olympic champion in Duet and Team

OPEN WATER SWIMMING

Men: Oussama Mellouli (TUN)
2012 Olympic champion in 10km and bronze medallist in 1500m free

Women: Eva Risztov (HUN)
2012 Olympic champion in 10km