As Ram Barkai (67, South Africa, MSF bio here, IISA bio here, @rambarkai_iceswimmer) described – and we wholeheartedly agree – “History is created quietly and gradually, one step at a time. When we reflect on the past, it always appears effortless.“
As the founder and representative of the International Ice Swimming Association, Barkai signed an agreement with the German Swimming Federation that recognizes ice swimming with the IISA as a formal sport. Barkai explained, “The Federation is committed to working with IISA to grow our sport, support our swimmers, coaches, and safety, and forge ahead towards the Winter Olympic Games in the Ice.”
That type of vision – unique among the leading national swimming federations around the world – will enable German swimmers to imagine, understand, strive for, and realize their true athletic potential in the long run – with many lifelong benefits.
Known in German as the DSV or Deutscher Schwimm-Verband, the federation oversees competition in pool swimming, diving, synchronized swimming, water polo and open water swimming; and Masters competition in all these. And now with this new agreement and partnership, German ice swimmers will be in the mix including the four-time Queen of the Ice, Alisa Fatum-Böker (30, German IISA bio here, shown below with her German ice swimming teammates at the International Ice Swimming Association 4th World Championship in Poland).
Top photo from left to right: Stefan Hetzer (71, Germany, IISA bio here), Ram Barkai, Hans Wolfgang (German Swimming Federation), Christof Wandratsch (58, Germany, MSF bio here, IISA bio here).
© 2025 Daily News of Open Water Swimming
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