Each year, the Mediterranean Sea sadly becomes a wet graveyard for thousands of people, citizens, tourists or refugees. The International Life Saving Federation has noted this problem for a long time and though to facilitate the establishment of an umbrella organization that would unite people and organizations to take a common action.
The Mediterranean Lifesaving Confederation (MLC) was founded in 2022 during the World Lifesaving Championships in Riccione, Italy. Its aim is to promote lifesaving sport within the Mediterranean basin (Europe, Asia, Africa) and take every necessary action to include it in the Mediterranean Games and the Mediterranean Beach Games, as stepping stones for its eventual inclusion in the Olympic Games.
Lifesaving is the only humanitarian sport of the world that apart of the values of all the known sports, it also teaches us how to be safe in the water, adding subconsciously the important value of safety to the Olympic motto; “faster, higher, stronger, safer – together!”
The Mediterranean Lifesaving Confederation offers a series of recognitions that celebrate the achievements of outstanding individuals within the fields of lifesaving, lifeguarding, first aid, water safety, aquatics and Olympism.
One such recognition is the Mediterranean Lifesaving Confederation Honorary Life Membership that was accepted by the following individuals this year:
- Dr Harald Vervaecke, PhD, Belgium
- Dr Klaus Wilkens, Germany
- Dr Bill Kent, USA
- John Long, UK
- Professor Robert Stallman, Norway
- Dr Shayne Baker, Australia
The individuals will be honored at the Mediterranean Championships held in Rome, Italy between July 25th – 27th 2024. The following additional awards are also given to well-deserving individuals:
Rescue Medal of Valour
Given to any lifesaver or group of lifesavers who is a member of any Mediterranean Lifesaving Confederation member federation in good standing who has knowingly and selflessly intervened in an instance of the most extreme peril in the aquatic environment in an effort to save the life of another person. To be eligible, the lifesaver or group of lifesavers must have their heroic action documented and verified.
Medal of Rescue
Give to any person without formal lifesaving training, who has knowingly and selflessly intervened in an instance of extreme peril in the aquatic environment in an effort to save the life of another person. The action must be documented and verified.
Olympic Inclusion
In May 2023, the Mediterranean Lifesaving Confederation formally endorsed the International Experts Symposium on Lifesaving as Olympic Sport. The event was organized by the Mediterranean Lifesaving Confederation Board of Director Member and President of the Greek Lifesaving Sports Association Dr. Stathis Avramidis at the Hellenic Olympic Committee. 40 experts and 30 organizations participated and endorsed this symposium to underline the magnitude of drowning as a public health problem and to champion the aspiration of lifesaving as Olympic sport.
For more information, visit here.
© 2024 Daily News of Open Water Swimming
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