2022 Lifesaving as Olympic Sport

Opportuni es and Challenges
οf Lifesaving as Olympic Sport

History – Olympism – Olympic Aspira on

Athens 2022

Stathis Avramidis, PhD
Ioannis Dimakopoulos, MSc

Ioanna Mastora, PhD

Stathis Avramidis, PhD
Ioannis Dimakopoulos, MSc

Ioanna Mastora, PhD

Opportunities and Challenges
of Lifesaving as Olympic Sport

History - Olympism – Olympic Aspiration

Athens 2022

Opportunities and Challenges of Lifesaving as Olympic Sport

© 2022 Stathis Avramidis, Ioannis Dimakopoulos, Ioanna Mastora

ISBN:

978-618-00-3452-3

Title:

Opportunities and Challenges of Lifesaving as Olympic Sport:
History – Olympism – Olympic Aspiration

Cover pages:

Front: Frederick Lane wins the obstacle swimming in the Olympic Games of
Paris in 1900. George Geddes and William Henry were the two winners of the
exhibition lifesaving sport championships of the Paris 1900 Olympic Games.
Back: Sport lifesavers compete in a Royal Life Saving Society UK event at the
beginning of the previous century.

Contributors:

Giannis Salogiannis (Cover page editing)
Chartino Karavi (Printing)

Olga Papalexi (English Translation)
Angelos Vlioras (English Translation)

Suggested citation:

Avramidis, S., Dimakopoulos, I. and Mastora, I. (2022). Opportunities and
Challenges of Lifesaving as Olympic Sport; History, Olympism, Olympic
Aspiration. Greek Lifesaving Sports Association. Athens: Authors.

Endorsed by:

Greek Lifesaving Sports Association

Contact:

GLSA, [email protected]
Stathis Avramidis, [email protected]
Ioannis Dimakopoulos, [email protected]
Ioanna Mastora, [email protected]

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced,
distributed or used in any manner whatsoever including mechanical or electronic
means, photocopying or recording without the written permission of the authors of
the book except in the case of book review, complying with the international
legislation for copyright.

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Opportunities and Challenges of Lifesaving as Olympic Sport

Dedicated
to the dreamers that strive today

for the Olympic inclusion
of lifesaving sport
hoping that others

may enjoy it in the future.

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Opportunities and Challenges of Lifesaving as Olympic Sport

Contents

Dedication, 3
Contents, 4
Forewords, 5
Acknowledgements, 12
Prologue, 13
Acronyms, 17

Part 1
Introduction, 19

Part 2
The History of Lifesaving
Sport at International Level, 25

Part 3
The concept of Olympism, 57

Part 4
The contribution of lifesaving
sport to Olympism, 69

Part 5
Challenges of lifesaving sport
towards the Olympic aspiration, 77

Part 6
Discussion, 85

Part 7
Conclusions, 93

References, 100
The Authors, 111

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Opportunities and Challenges of Lifesaving as Olympic Sport

Foreword

Greece is the motherland of the ancient and
the modern Olympic Games, where the
meaning of physical and mental excellence
was popularised and idolised. Australia is the
country where lifesaving sport evolved and
reached tremendous respect, converting its
athletes into heroes of the sea. This book
addresses the opportunities and challenges of
the Olympic aspiration of lifesaving sport. This
is one of the core aims of the International
Life Saving Federation. As the world's leading
authority of drowning prevention, our organisation strives to use
sports for introducing people to water safety in an entertaining
way. Everyone should learn how to swim and how to rescue a
fellow in distress. Lifesaving sport prepares our competitors to be
“rescue ready” and rescue someone in distress in the water and
save their life. Science says that learning is more permanent if it is
achieved in an entertaining way. These are the reasons that our
sport has expanded through the years in numerous international
championships and why our regional and world championships are
open to everyone regardless of age, gender and ability. Because of
its humanitarian nature, lifesaving sport should be available to
everyone as competition or recreation. In this book, the authors
bridge the ideals of Olympism, Olympic Games, lifesaving sport,
water safety and drowning prevention. They explain why these
concepts are inextricably linked. Finally, they conclude that despite
the various real and philosophical challenges, lifesaving sport
deserves to be included eventually in the Olympic Games and that
such initiative will justify the fathers of the ancient and the modern
Olympic Games.

Graham Ford AM
President, International Lifesaving Federation

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Opportunities and Challenges of Lifesaving as Olympic Sport

Foreword

The second Modern Olympic Games took
place in Paris in 1900. One lifesaving event,
the obstacle swimming, was included as an
official event in these Games. This is not
surprising because lifesaving sport had
appeared in several competitions around
that period. This makes it one of the oldest
modern sports, among those that seek to
be included in the Olympic Games. The
International Life Saving Federation works
towards the fulfillment of this aspiration in numerous ways. The
sport is growing in many countries, disciplines are added,
competition rules are written and Lifesaving is included in major
multi-sport games such as the World Games, the Military World
Games and Championships and the World Masters Games, to
name the most important ones. There is still plenty to do. However,
the idea of including lifesaving in the Summer Olympic programme
merits respect and gains ground. Its multidimensional, spectacular
and educational nature, qualify it as the only sport that can serve
humanity so meaningfully. The staff of the Greek Lifesaving Sports
Association that authored the book, address the obstacles of this
fascinating journey, explain the sport's attributes that correspond
with the principles of the Olympic Movement and explain why such
inclusion deserves a chance in the near future. To the best of my
knowledge, this is probably the first literary attempt that addresses
this topic. Given that the Olympic Games were born in Greece, the
recommendations of a Greek book that champions the inclusion of
our sport in the Olympics, is not only welcome but it may also act
as a beacon for the realisation of our dream some day.

Dr. Harald Vervaecke PhD
Secretary General, International Lifesaving Federation

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Opportunities and Challenges of Lifesaving as Olympic Sport

Foreword

The Modern Olympics Games host
individual and team sports. Of all the sports
we celebrate today, swimming is the only
one that evolved from skills that were
essential to human survival. The ability to
swim appeared in Paleolithic times, as
means to escape from enemies or wild
animals. Depending on the society,
swimming was either universal or an
indicator of a person’s socio-economic
position, class, gender, religion or racial status. It took centuries for
our civilization to use this precious survival skill for recreation,
commerce, rehabilitation and competition. The walls of the
International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF), are full of stories of
those that excelled in these fields. The most competent swimmers
realized their obligation to protect their societies from drowning
by becoming amateur lifesavers and later as professional
lifeguards. If swimming was "invented" as means to save ourselves,
lifesaving sport was developed to save a fellow man from the
imminent danger. This book explains that despite its philosophical
contradictions and difficulties, lifesaving sport serves the ideals of
the Olympic Movement and the Olympic ideals in an unparalleled
way because the sport lifesaver does not offer only spectacle or a
sterile performance but also skills and knowledge essential for the
preservation of a human life. This single attribute should qualify
the inclusion of lifesaving sport in the Olympic Games. I commend
the authors that addressed this issue and hope that the
International Olympic Committee will consider their views.

Brent Rutemiller
President/CEO, International Swimming Hall of Fame

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Opportunities and Challenges of Lifesaving as Olympic Sport

Foreword

Lifesaving sport is an important and
effective interventional strategy for
drowning prevention by recruiting youth,
developing knowledge, skills and
attitudes for drowning prevention, rescue
and sport. Many of the leadership roles in
lifesaving and drowning prevention have
acquired skills and experience through
lifesaving sport. Lifesaving sport needs
broader participation at the community
level, the development of low technology
and inclusive events that can be undertaken in all communities of
the world. Inclusion and broader participation in high-, middle-
and low-income countries is a needed goal. The broader scope of
the sport includes nations, communities but also persons with
disabilities, virtual platforms and diverse medal champions. More
community participation will save lives. Saving lives is more
impactful than counting medals at international sporting events.
Higher sport stages, such as the Olympic Games, will be helpful to
illuminate the humanitarian mission and leadership development
in lifesaving.

Dr Steve Beerman BSc, BSR, MD, CCFP, FCFP
Co-Chair, Canadian Drowning Prevention Coalition
Trustee, Royal Life Saving Society
Past President, International Life Saving Federation
Past President, Lifesaving Society Canada
Clinical Professor, University of British Columbia

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Opportunities and Challenges of Lifesaving as Olympic Sport

Foreword

Lifesaving sport has been active for
decades both nationally and globally,
being the only humanitarian sport in the
world that emphasizes individual and
collective safety parallel to its athletic
element. Like any other sport, lifesaving
sport aims at supporting good
sportsmanship and emphasizing fair play
as well as the other ideals advocated by
Olympism. It is not merely a sport; it is a
sport that actually saves lives. As you already know, Olympic
Games, the greatest athletic event on the planet, have the unique
potential to unite all humanity. The Values of Olympism, friendship,
respect, the effort to exceed ourselves, courage and equality, are
the ones that assign sports the huge impact they have on life and
society. All sports contribute substantially to maintaining our
physical and mental health. I am particularly happy to applaud any
attempt made to spread all sports, all the more so lifesaving sport,
that aims to protect Public Health from water accidents and helps
lifeguards develop and maintain their fitness. Through this book,
readers will be acquainted with the greatness of lifesaving sport
and will gain an understanding of its value and the way it is
connected to the Olympic ideal.

Spyros Kapralos
President, Greek Olympic Committee
Member, International Olympic Committee

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Opportunities and Challenges of Lifesaving as Olympic Sport

Foreword

I am touched to write a preface for this
book. Its subject takes me back to the
1960s when I strived for the establishment
of lifesaving as a sport. I made
presentations in Greek and International
conferences, I contacted presidents of
international organizations and the
General Secretariat of Sports and these are
only a few examples of the action I have
taken. Initially, major organizations stood
by me. Later on, I was inhibited by the Greek dictatorship and the
man who served as the Secretary General of Sports in that period.
The inclusion of lifesaving sport in the Olympic Games has been a
dream of mine for decades. This sport, more than any other, serves
the values of Olympism. Our country gave birth to the Olympic
Games and imparted the light of “beauty, greatness and truth". The
publication of this pioneering book paves the way again for
humanity. My vision has found its continuators. I can feel hopeful
when I think of Stathis, my successor and “father” of lifesaving
sport in Greece, and his exceptional partners, Ioannis and Ioanna.
This book makes clear that the obstacles to be overcome towards
the Olympic inclusion of the sport are major but they are of minor
importance compared to the benefits to be gained. The point of
this book will be proved when drowning prevention becomes part
of the leading sporting event on the planet. In the twilight of my
life, I may get the chance to see lifesavers participating in the
Olympic Games.

Lucas Bistarakis
"Father" of Greek professional lifeguarding
Lifeguard Coach, General Secretariat of Sports

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Opportunities and Challenges of Lifesaving as Olympic Sport

Foreword

Whether the first human took to the
water in imitation of an animal, to
gather food or escape from a predator
is unknown, but it is certain that men
and women have been adept at
swimming from the earliest of times. As
more humans took to the water for
transportation and recreation, the idea
of lifesaving came into being and
historically, lifesaving predates the idea
of competitive swimming. The events of the ancient Olympic
Games all had practical value for contestants as elements of
warfare. The importance of swimming for military purposes is why
swimming is one of the events in the modern pentathlon. Because
the lifesaving aspect of swimming provides the primary rationale
for educating and motivating people to learn to swim, the skills
demonstrated in lifesaving sport should merit serious
consideration for inclusion in the program of the Olympic Games.

Bruce Wigo, J.D.
Member, International Society of Olympic Historians
Former President/CEO, International Swimming Hall of Fame

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Opportunities and Challenges of Lifesaving as Olympic Sport

Acknowledgements

A few people have contributed to the creation of this book to
whom we are grateful. Dr. Harald Vervaecke, ILS Secretary General,
and Bruce Wigo, former President of the International Swimming
Hall of Fame, have been so generous as to provide us with
invaluable material and information on the history of lifesaving
sport on an international level. Steven Munatones, President of the
World Open Water Swimming Association and Dr. Steve Beerman,
former President of the International Life Saving Federation, shared
with us important information on the “prerequisites” of baptizing a
sport as Olympic and the steps that need to be taken towards the
Olympic inclusion of lifesaving sport. Special thanks should also be
given to Lucas Bistarakis, “father” of professional lifeguarding in
Greece. He has offered so much to his country and to his fellows
asking them in exchange to follow in his footsteps justifying his
sacrifice. Lucas has paved the way in lifesaving sport but he didn’t
make it to the end. It is our duty to resume his attempts from
where certain circumstances and people halted Lucas and to make
our best to succeed. We are also grateful to Pinelopi Fatourou,
Nikos Charalambopoulos, the Irish Water Safety, the Library of
Congress Prints and Photographs Division and Dan Martin for the
photographic material. Warmly thanks should also be given to our
translators and volunteers of the Greek Lifesaving Sports
Association, Olga Papalexi and Angelos Vlioras for their selfless
dedication to the English version. It is noteworthy to mention that
Angelos typed the text on the keyboard with his toes because he
has no arms. He inspires us. They both worked tirelessly to allow
the reading by the English spoken world. We thank John
Salogiannis for the covers and Stratis Sideris for the quality
printing. They are all our unsung heroes. Finally, given that families
have always been the unsung heroes in every literary attempt, we
are thankful to Elias, Eleftheria, Zoi, Giolanda, Pantelis, Iosifina,
Eleftheria, George-Rafail, Constantinos, Alexandra for all the hours
we have spent away from them in order to bring this book to life.

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Opportunities and Challenges of Lifesaving as Olympic Sport

Prologue

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Opportunities and Challenges of Lifesaving as Olympic Sport

Prologue

Does lifesaving have an athletic dimension? Yes, of course it does!
Does it deserve to be included in the Olympic Games? Yes, of
course it does! Is the path towards inclusion full of adversities and
challenges to be overcome in order to accomplish this goal?
Definitely yes. The present book discusses the Olympic aspiration
of the unique humanitarian sport in the world. Of a sport that
actually saves life!

Saving a human life from aquatic injuries has a multidimensional
nature and it presupposes adopting a holistic approach and
employing innovative tools. Athletics is among those tools. Every
legal reform that tackles water and road safety is affected by the
knowledge background of the legislator, unionism and certain
circumstances (social, economic, political) and the decisions that
result from these reforms are applied only by the people who are
directly affected by them. On the contrary, lifesaving sport, being a
recreational activity, addresses everybody. It has the potential to
teach people who participate in the recreational event (lifesavers,
spectators) how to deal with emergencies and all this can be done
in an economical, easy and exciting way.

Part 1 deals with the issue of drowning. Drowning is just the
spearhead and the tip of the iceberg when it comes to deaths that
take place in or around water. In this part, the collateral and
multidimensional effects of an injury are discussed.

In Part 2, making reference to the history of lifesaving sport sets
the basis for discussion. It becomes evident that lifesaving sport is
not a recent sport. Despite its long history, it is characterized by
youthness and freshness. It stemmed from professional lifeguards’
need to practice, it served as a means of carrying political
messages and it spread as a spectacle in public gatherings.
Lifesaving sport has been around for more than a century and

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Opportunities and Challenges of Lifesaving as Olympic Sport

throughout this course the story of the sport has been exciting and
marked by the vision of its Olympic inclusion.

In Part 3, reference is made to Olympism. It is explained why sports
is every citizen’s right, a way of bonding among nations and a
means of moral instruction. Based on authors who specialize in the
Olympic Movement, we attempt to demonstrate why the Olympic
Games are more than a mass athletic gathering. Instead, they are a
life attitude.

In Part 4, arguments are put forward to justify why lifesaving sport
should be included in the Olympic Games. If we take into
consideration that this sport dates more than 100 years back, we
strongly believe that its inclusion has been delayed. While several
much more recent sports have been or are about to be included in
the Olympic Games, what we consider to be the most important
sport in the world is still left outside.

In Part 5, we analyze the challenges met and need to be overcome
by people who love lifesaving sport in their attempt to make it an
Olympic sport. Like any other sport, lifesaving sport as well faces
great challenges in terms of financial issues, its organization,
philosophy and value system.

In Part 6, the authors have a fruitful discussion. We articulate the
obstacles once more and we make proposals on how to overcome
them on a national and international level.

In Part 7, the authors present a series of suggestions and
conclusions to be employed by the ILS, the ILS Sports Commission
and the national organizations-members of the ILS. The authors
maintain that all of the above will reinforce the Olympic aspiration
of lifesaving sport.

The present book is an official publication of the Greek Lifesaving
Sports Association (GLSA) which was founded for a number of
reasons. Firstly, it was founded as a tribute to the founders’

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Opportunities and Challenges of Lifesaving as Olympic Sport

relatives who passed away in the sea (Iosif Papadakis, Christos
Kouridakis, Alekos Giannoulias). Secondly, to fill in a huge gap in
Greece, not adequately dealt with by Greek organizations that
existed before the formation of GLSA so as to assist in spreading
lifesaving sport on a national level and reinforcing it on an
international scale. Thirdly, to serve as a provider of alternative
ways of operational skills for military and security forces in terms of
prevention, rescue and treatment. Fourthly, it was founded to
promote lifesaving sport as a sport recreational activity. Fifthly, to
provide Greece with a means of education for all citizens
regardless of their age, skills, sex and nationality in order to
prevent and handle injuries.

The authors hope that this book will contribute to the spread of
lifesaving sport in Greece, will serve as a stepping stone for the
International Life Saving Federation in their negotiations with the
International Olympic Committee and that it will be an aid towards
the Olympic inclusion of the sport. Dear reader, we are offering
you this book with a strong sense of duty due to the fact that it is
the first time this issue is approached in a literary context. It is our
wish to have served our duty both as offsprings of the birthplace of
the Olympic Games and as physical education and sports scientists.
Enjoy your reading.

Stathis Avramidis, PhD
Ioannis Dimakopoulos, MSc

Ioanna Matsora, PhD

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Opportunities and Challenges of Lifesaving as Olympic Sport

Acronyms

ARISF: Association of IOC Recognized International Sports
Federations
BULSCA: British University Lifesaving Clubs' Association
CISM: International Military Sports Council
FINA: Federation Internationale de Natation
FIS: Internationale de Sauvetage Aquatique
ILS: International Life Saving Federation
ILSE: International Life Saving Federation of Europe
IOC: International Olympic Committee
ISA: International Surfing Association
IWMG: International World Masters Association
RLSS: Royal Life Saving Society
SLSA: Surf Life Saving Australia
WHO: World Health Organization
WLS: World Life Saving
WMG: World Masters Games
PWD: Persons with Disabilities
IOC: International Olympic Committee
GLSA: Greek Lifesaving Sports Association
HRC: Hellenic Red Cross
GLC: Greek Lifesaving Cup
SPESS: School of Physical Education and Sport Science

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Opportunities and Challenges of Lifesaving as Olympic Sport

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Opportunities and Challenges of Lifesaving as Olympic Sport

Introduction

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Opportunities and Challenges of Lifesaving as Olympic Sport

Introduction

Drowning is a major public health problem globally.
Approximately, 372.000 people die from drowning (World Health
Organization, 2014). This number does not include "hidden
drownings”, which is drowning episodes that fall into a different
category according to the International Classification of Disease
(ICD) or were never reported (Langley & Smith, n.d.). Likewise,
Greece ranks 6th in the European Union of the 27 Member States
(Eurostat, 2017). For every person who dies from drowning, there
are 4-10 people who survive with severe damage.

Drowning incidents have several after-effects. In some cases, the
victims experience distressing feelings of terror, horror, isolation or
guilt (Bush, 2006). Others suffer from post traumatic stress
disorder (American Psychiatric Association, 1996; Bouwer & Stein,
1997; Chemtob et al., 1998; Howsepian, 1998; Silva, Leong, Harry,
Ronan & Weinstock, 1998; Moradi, Doost, Taghavi, Yule &
Dalgleish, 1999; Alonzo, 2000, Hidalgo & Davidson, 2000). This
disorder can affect both the person who was saved from drowning
as well as the rescuer (Raphael et al., 1983; Jones, 1985; Shepherd
& Hodgkinson, 1990; Grosse, 2001) having a negative effect on
their mental health (Goleman, 1995; Howsepian, 1998; Hidalgo &
Davidson, 2000), especially when the drowning victim is a child,
which makes the case even more dramatic (Shannon, 1991; Meyer,
Theodorou & Berg, 2006). Similarly, the family of the victim
undergoes a great deal of pain (Triantafillou, 2000). Ninety percent
of the couples who lost their child in an aquatic injury get divorced
within 5 years from the fatal incident (Borta, 1991). Lifeguards, the
bathing areas and the local authorities may bear legal
consequences (Forsten & Murphy, 1986; American Red Cross,
1995) as they could be held responsible (Mone, 1980; Morizot,
2002b) or even accused of negligence (Connaughton, 1995, 1998;
Fawcett, 2001; Griffiths, 2001a; Grosse, 2001; Modell 2006). Finally,
a drowning incident has severe economic consequences due to the
fact that rescue teams take action on land, water and air (Gardiner

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Opportunities and Challenges of Lifesaving as Olympic Sport

et al., 1985; Schmidt et al., 1995; Jungck & Walther, 1997; Muller,
2002; Vandevelde, 2002), or for reasons of medical transport and
nursing (Walters, Fraser & Alleyne, 1993; Ellis & Trent, 1995). All in
all, one can conclude that drowning is a neglected problem.

Picture 1: Ino rescues Odysseus extending her hand in a reach rescue mode.
Alessandro Allori. Wikimedia Commons Archives.

Picture 2: Jesus rescues Peter extending his hand in a reach rescue mode. Wikimedia
Commons Archives.

Treating an aquatic injury in a traditional way has a significant
nevertheless limited impact. To be more specific, in the past a
number of impromptu rescue methods have been employed to
tackle a drowning situation, a practice that is common in all
manifestations of human activity (e.g. reach rescue is mentioned in
the antiquity, in mythology and religion, pictures 1-2, Avramidis
2009, 2010b; Avramidis & Devouros, 2008). Likewise, every

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Opportunities and Challenges of Lifesaving as Olympic Sport

theoretical form of education has been used (brochures, books,
videos, etc.). The epidemiological data and the multi-faceted
nature of the drowning problem, that is who the drowning victim
is, who is in a position of saving the drowning person and under
which circumstances the incident takes place (Avramidis, Butterly &
Lllewellyn, 2007, 2009a, 2009b, 2009c, 2009d) prove that we should
make good use of innovative methods to ensure prevention,
rescue and treatment.

Lifesaving sport constitutes a valuable proposal for treating the
problem but publications on the topic are limited. Current research
examines the stress levels experienced by lifesavers (Avramidou,
Avramidis, & Pollman, 2007), their injuries during the competition
(Mitchell, Brighton & Sherker, 2013), women’s exclusion from the
sport due to the masculinity norms that have pervaded the sport
for decades (Drummond, 2014; Simatos, 2016) and the benefits
derived from lifesaving sport events (Shucksmith, 2017). Some
researchers have reviewed papers that deal with the sport through
the prism of physiology, sports biomechanics, sociology, history
and marketing (Avramidis, 2018; Avramidis, Abraldes & Hodgetts,
2017). Others work on the instruction of the sport at different
education levels (Avramidis, 2017, 2020, Dimakopoulos, 2020a).

Linking the Olympic Games with rescuing a person is a relative
recent, indirect and limited concept. Only recently, an attempt has
been made to record lifesaving interventions in aquatic
competitions and aquatics competitions (Avramidis, 2005, 2008).
Other people have made reference to Olympic champions who
attempted to rescue shipwrecked people (Avramidis, 2010a; BBC,
2019).

Based on the humanitarian pursuit of ILS, lifesaving sport has three
major goals. To promote readiness in emergencies. This is achieved
through the provision of instruction (teaching swimming, rescue
techniques, first aid, and resuscitation). To encourage sport
activities in and around water as a means of maintaining and
promoting well-being. This is actually a major side-goal given the

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Opportunities and Challenges of Lifesaving as Olympic Sport

high rates of heart diseases. To organize championships that will
assist lifesavers in improving their skills and efficiency during water
rescue (Wilkens, 2017). For all those reasons, the Olympic inclusion
of lifesaving sport constitutes a major subject. This book aims to
bring together a series of arguments that support the Olympic
aspiration of the unique humanitarian sport in the world and to
shed light upon the challenges that need to be overcome towards
the road to inclusion so as to achieve the aforementioned goal.

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Opportunities and Challenges of Lifesaving as Olympic Sport

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Opportunities and Challenges of Lifesaving as Olympic Sport

The History of Lifesaving Sport
at International Level

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Opportunities and Challenges of Lifesaving as Olympic Sport

The History of Lifesaving Sport
at International Level

The term "lifesaving sport" presupposes the coexistence of three
independent elements each one holding a unique position in the
timeline of the sport’s history. The first element is "water" that
hosts swimming activities on a professional level, recreational
events but also military operations (Wigo & Avramidis, in press).
The second element is the "safety"; every person needs to feel in
water. To ensure safety, people have come up with several
practices. For instance, people who could not swim used rope to
tie pumpkins around their waist as a kind of impromptu floaties. In
some areas, "swimming machines" were used to ensure safe access
to water (picture 3). Other people made huge buoys for the
bathers to rest (picture 4). Finally, some coastal municipal
authorities used to place wooden poles connected with a rope on
the beach and in the sea. In this way, people who could not swim
held on to the rope so as to get into the water with safety (picture
5).

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Opportunities and Challenges of Lifesaving as Olympic Sport

Picture 3: Swimming machine in 1833. Record, Wilhelm Dreesen. This picture is not
subject to copyright as 70 years have elapsed since the death of the photographer.

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Opportunities and Challenges of Lifesaving as Olympic Sport

Picture 4: Bathers rest on a huge buoy. Charles R. Savage between 1893-1900. The
picture is not subject to copyright as it was published before 1/1/1925 in the U.S.
Copyright Office.

Εικόνα 5: On Rockaway Beach, the female bathers who can’t swim wear a bathing
outfit (fully dressed) and hold on to a rope tied on wooden poles to get into the
water with safety. The Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division.

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Opportunities and Challenges of Lifesaving as Olympic Sport

The third element is the provision of water safety through "sports".
This involves techniques that have to do with prevention, rescue
and medical care in case of injuries. This kind of sport is what we
today call lifesaving sport. Lifesaving sport is not something new.
Early enough, human communities realized the need to form
rescue teams that would take action to save people in danger of
drowning. As soon as swimming started to have a recreational
element as well, the amateur lifesaver was replaced by the
professional lifeguard. Apart from his ability to act fast and
efficiently, the latter was responsible for the prevention of injuries
in/out of the water as well. As professional lifeguards appeared in
many countries, in some places in the world there were lifeguards
who thought that their training could take place in a more fun way.
Thus, some racing tests started to take place to assess each
particular skill required for the operational readiness of a lifeguard
(running, rowing, swimming, rescue, first aid, cooperation, speed of
decision making etc). These separate skills were actually the
predecessors of the different disciplines of the sport. As time went
by, rules for the conduction of the competitions were formed. In
the lines to follow, there is a brief throwback to athletic events-
landmarks and associations that contributed to the spread of
lifesaving sport internationally (Avramidis, Havenetidis & Long,
2017).

Since its foundation in 1891 A.D., the Royal Life Saving Society
organizes lifesaving sport activities. The games and the public
demonstrations gave the people and the athletes the opportunity
to get acquainted with the concept of rescue. Responsible for this
are its founders, William Henry (Olympic swimming champion) and
Archibald Sinclair (athlete). They believed that sports can be
effective in facing the numerous drownings that took place in the
end of 1800 (Royal Life Saving Society Commonwealth 2020,
picture 6).

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Opportunities and Challenges of Lifesaving as Olympic Sport

Picture 6: The RLSS UK has been promoting lifesaving sport for more than a century.
RLSS UK Archives.

Before the dawn but also during the 1900s, the United States
Volunteer Life Saving Corps under the leadership of Commodore
Wilbert Longfellow, takes a series of actions to make the public
aware of the issue of safety. One of their activities that had a huge
impact on the people was the conduction of carnivals. The carnivals
included competitions, lifesaving demonstrations and boat sinking
in which the protagonists were women as it was considered that the
female presence attracted the spectators’ attention. In other events,
men and women from different lifesaving stations and areas
participated in the competitions (see Bier, 2011; picture 7).

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Opportunities and Challenges of Lifesaving as Olympic Sport

Picture 7: Swimming lessons with Wilbert E. Longfellow, Field Director of the Red
Cross Lifesaving Corps. Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, American
National Red Cross Collection Archives.

In 1900 at the 2nd Olympic Games of Paris, lifesaving sport
appeared in two ways; as exhibition sport and as part of swimming.
The lifesaving sport competition results were not mentioned on
the formal program of the Olympic Games but on newspapers. The
championships lasted 3 days. Lifesavers from humanitarian and
lifesaving organizations of 11 countries attended (England, Ireland,
Scotland, USA, France, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Netherlands,
Belgium). The purpose of the championships was the perfection of
water rescue for saving a human life. The prizes were high amounts
of money. Each competitor used their own equipment (dinky,
paddles, ropes, etc) and helpers. The disciplines were: (1) On the
starters signal, the competitors were asked to choose the type of
equipment they considered as most appropriate, to approach a
manikin-“victim” that floated on the water surface with their dinky
and to bring it to the shore. The judging committee was composed
by medical and lifesaving experts. (2) Submerged manikin recovery
by the bottom of the river. On the starting signal, the sport

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Opportunities and Challenges of Lifesaving as Olympic Sport

lifesavers could dive and recover the manikin with whichever way
they considered better. The marking system took into account the
speed, the rescue aids and other details that the judges felt
appropriate. In these championships, the English William Henry
(President of the Royal Humane Society) came 2nd and George
Geddes (Officer or the Glasgow Humane Society) finished 1st.
Geddes, had the ability to recover fast the manikins from
underwater and bring them to the shore like nobody else in
Scotland. He was born by a family of lifesavers and had
participated in rescues since he was a child (North British Daily
Mail, 1900). During the championships, 3 sport lifesavers swam too
far. When their dinkies submerged, 2 of them drowned before help
arrives. The third was recovered alive but died later (Dundee
Evening Telegraph 1900, picture 8).

Picture 8: Two of the exhibition lifesaving sport champions that took place during the
"Paris 1900" Olympic Games and the first Olympic winner. George Geddes (left) is the
first and William Henry is the second winner (centre). Frederick Lane, is the first
winner on the obstacle swim (right). International Swimming Hall of Fame Archives.

In 1900 A.D., as mentioned above, in the 2nd Olympic Games in
Paris, lifesaving sport appears for the first time as a demonstration
sport. The report of the games mentions the conduction of rescue
competition in the water. The principles involved handling fire
pumps, providing first aid to victims, civilians and soldiers, and a

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Opportunities and Challenges of Lifesaving as Olympic Sport

rescue in the waters of Seine. The rescue game consisted of four
disciplines. The results of the championships were not recorded.
On the winners’ medal, a phrase is carved «Rescue on Land». One
of the disciplines involved obstacle swimming (Lennartz, Bijkerk,
and Kluge 2008). The athletes had to go over a pole, to climb up
and swim under a row of boats in the Seine. The winner was
Frederick Lane (Lennartz, Bijkerk & Kluge, 2008; Swimming Effects,
2019; Wigo, 2021; pictures 9-12).

Picture 9: The competition area in the demonstration of lifesaving sport and the
swimming discipline in the Olympic Games in Paris in 1900. Dalton 1900 Archives.

Picture 10: Athletes jump off a boat during the discipline of obstacle swimming in the
Olympic Games "Paris 1900". Wikimedia Commons Archives.

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Opportunities and Challenges of Lifesaving as Olympic Sport

Picture 11: Swimming in the Seine in the Olympic Games in Paris in 1900. Wikimedia
Commons Archives.

Picture 12: The poster (on the left) and the medal (on the right) that were given in the
demonstration sport of lifesaving sport in "Paris 1900" Olympic Games. Wikimedia
Commons Archives.

In July 1902, in Neuilly sur Seine, the French Federation organizes
the first national lifesaving championship under the auspices of the
President of the French Republic, Emile Loubet. More than 1000
lifesavers from over 50 teams take part in a spectacular and festive
event. The sport was born. Since then, this tradition went on and the
event developed into an international event (Vervaecke, in press a).
In 1903, the French Federation organizes the first military lifesaving
championship in the Ledru Rollin swimming facilities, under the
auspices of the Ministry of War and Navy. Four hundred men and
women from different military branches competed. This is possibly

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Opportunities and Challenges of Lifesaving as Olympic Sport

the first event where individuals from both sexes competed
(Vervaecke, in press a).
On 27/3/1910, the Federation Internationale de Sauvetage (FIS) is
founded in Paris. Belgium, Denmark, France, Great Britain and
Switzerland are the founding members. The founder and "soul" of
the Federation was the President of the French Lifesaving
Federation, Mr. Raymond Pitet. Between 1955-1975, international
lifesaving championships are conducted (ILS, 2020a; picture 13).

Picture 13: Raymond Pitet, founder of the first international lifesaving federation,
Federation Internationale de Sauvetage, in front of the offices of FIS. ILS Archives.

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Opportunities and Challenges of Lifesaving as Olympic Sport

In 1911, the National Women's Life Saving League is founded. The
following year, the league holds a local annual swimming
championship. Among other activities, they conducted water
festivals that involved 6 disciplines. Two of them had lifesaving
content. The first was a rescue event in a 25 yards distance and the
second involved an overturning canoe (see Bier, 2011; picture 14).

Picture 14: Athletes of the National Women's Life Saving League waiting for the
starter to start the race in a game in Sheepshead Bay, New York, 16/7/1914. Library of
Congress Prints and Photographs Division Archives.

In July 1915 or 1917, the National Women's Life Saving League,
takes advantage of a rescue event so as to raise the issue of the
women’s right to vote. Women claimed their right to vote the
same way they claimed their right to swim and save lives in the
water (Laskow, 2018). The members of the league dressed up a
manikin in female clothes. They called her Jerushy Ann Maria Jane
Tompkins and put a red scarf on her that wrote "anti-Suffragette".
The manikin was transferred on a boat and thrown deep into the
sea. The women of the league competed to swim and rescue the
victim. The winner was Rita Greenfield, one of the fastest swimmers

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Opportunities and Challenges of Lifesaving as Olympic Sport

of the League who approached the victim first and pulled it safely
to the beach (see Bier, 2011; picture 15).

Picture 15: The athletes of the National Women’s Life-Saving League,
Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, 1914. Rita Greenfield, winner of the rescue event
of Anti-Suffragette is the 4th from the left. Library of Congress Prints and
Photographs Division Archives.

In 14/9/1915, the National Women's Life Saving League, having
gained legitimacy among preexisting associations who were of the
mentality that only men participated in sports, organizes a
swimming race. In front of a great number of spectators, swimming
competitions, humorous diving, duck hunting, and a rescue race
take place. The starting signal was given from the top of a boat.
Due to the athletes’ weight and the waves, the boat overturned but
this did not affect the quality of the event (see Bier, 2011; picture
16).

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Opportunities and Challenges of Lifesaving as Olympic Sport

Picture 16: Josephine Bartlett during a diving game (Sheepshead Bay,
Brooklyn 1914). Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Archives.

In 1951, the FIS organized a Medical Conference on lifesaving,
International Lifesaving Championships and a General Assembly in
Cannes, France. Forty five representatives of different nations
participated. In this event, the French delegation organized
lifesaving sport demonstrations too aiming to convince participants
that lifesaving is a useful sport (Vervaecke, in press a).

In 1953, the 40th French Championship took place in Nantes at the
same period with the first World Lifesaving Sport Championship.
That was the beginning of the systematic conduction of
International and World Championships (Vervaecke, in press a).

In 24/8-5/9/1954, the Algerian Life Saving Federation organized the
FIS World Championships in Algeria. The game included manikin
rescue, rescue with boat rowing, 400m swim wearing clothes,
combined rescue in the water and first aid. Five countries
participated in the game. The organizers were surprised by the fact
that 10.000 spectators attended the championships. The reporters
were impressed that lifesaving sport attracted so many spectators
(Vervaecke, in press a).

In 31/7-1/8/1956, the International Military Sports Council (CISM)
organized the first Military Lifesaving World Championships in
Marseilles, France. The participants were athletes from the Armed

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Opportunities and Challenges of Lifesaving as Olympic Sport

Forces of 4 countries (West Germany, Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia)
(Vervaecke, in press a).
In 1956, during the Olympic Games in Melbourne, parallel
lifesaving sport championships took place. Lifesavers from different
countries competed in the sea. The disciplines were decided by the
Australian Surf Lifesaving Association. Every team went back to
their country with a wider understanding of the rescue techniques.
From a lifesavers’ championship, it became a meeting for water
safety. That was the beginning. Since then, the lifesavers got
connected and competed with each other. Perhaps, the most
interesting point was the discussion on finding new methods to
stay safe in the water and on lifesaving sport internationally
(Avramidis et al., 2017; picture 17).

Picture 17: The American lifesaving team of the Surf Life Saving Association in the
Australian Championships in 1956. Bob Burnside Archives.

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Opportunities and Challenges of Lifesaving as Olympic Sport

In 24/3/1971, the World Life Saving (WLS) is founded in Cronulla,
Australia. The statute came into effect in 14/6/1977 with the
agreement of the founding countries (Australia, Great Britain, Ν.
Zealand, North Africa, America). In the period 1971-1992,
international lifesaving sport championships are held (ILS, 2020b;
picture 18).

Picture 18: Meeting of the founding members of the World Life Saving. From left to
right (standing): Ken Farey (New Zealand), Mike Mortimer (South Africa), D. de Silva
(Sri Lanka), Alan Whelpton (Australia and WLS Secretary General), Jack McMaster
(Australia), Vince Moorehouse (USA), Cecil Small (USA), Allan Kennedy (Great Britain),
Neil Balnaves (Australia and WLS Public Relations). From left to right (seating): Hector
McDonald (Australia), Jack Dearlove (Australia), Con Asmussen (Australia), Kevin
Weldon (Australia and WLS President), Lou Johnson (South Africa). Αρχείο ILS.

In 1973, Kevin Weldon, President of the World Life Saving (WLS)
and Jack Dearlove (Member of the WLS) went on a tour in several
countries. They visited North Africa (23-27/08), the Canary Islands
(28/08-03/09), Ireland (03-08/09), England and Wales (08-13/09),
Portugal (13-16/09), France (16-19/09), Germany (19-21/09),
Greece (23-25/09) and Hong-Kong (26-27/09) to promote
lifesaving sport (Vervaecke, in press b).

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Opportunities and Challenges of Lifesaving as Olympic Sport

In 23-27/6/1975, the International Meeting on Water Safety takes
place organized by the League of Red Cross Societies and the
Bulgarian Red Cross in Varna, Bulgaria. Representatives from 12
countries-members of the International Red Cross and the FIS
participated with an aim to discuss water safety and lifesaving
training issues. In this meeting, two speeches were delivered which
included historical information as well as the benefits that derive
for both the humanitarian and professional lifesaving from the
conduction of lifesaving sport championships (picture 19).

Picture 19: International Meeting on Water Safety in 1975 in Bulgaria. At the podium,
we see Lucas Bistarakis, Greece’s representative and Secretary General of the
meeting. Lucas Bistarakis Archives.

In 24-30/9/1976, the FIS convenes the Board of Directors in Berlin,
Germany. The members of the Board were the following: President:
José Antonio de Pasqual (Spain), Vice Presidents: Prof. Dr. Josef
Schmitz (Germany), Roger Hantz (France), Secretary General: Carlos
Garcia Riveras, Treasurer: Günter Puff (Germany), Members: Jones
(GBR), Achille Marchetti (Italy), Prof. Dr. Mieczyslaw Witkowski PhD
(Poland) and Bayley (GBR). In the General Assembly, 14 national
federations took part (Algeria, Austria, Denmark, Germany, Spain,
France, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, England, North Africa,
Sweden, Turkey). The General Assembly decided to conduct World
Championships in the years between the Olympic Games. Also, the

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Opportunities and Challenges of Lifesaving as Olympic Sport

Assembly unanimously decided to assign membership to the RLSS-
Hong Kong and the Pan-Ηellenic Lifesaving Association founded by
Lucas Bistarakis (Vervaecke, in press a).

In 11-15/5/1977, on the occasion of its 60th anniversary, the Dutch
Life Saving Association (KNBRD) organizes the FIS Meetings in
Amsterdam, the Netherlands. H.R.H. Prince Bernhard of the
Netherlands attended the meeting. In the BOD, the President José
Antonio de Pasqual (Spain), the Vice Presidents Roger Hantz
(France), Prof. Dr. Josef Schmitz (Germany), the Treasurer Günter
Puff (Germany), and the Members Marcetti (Italy), Prof. Dr.
Mieczyslaw Witkowski PhD (Poland), Bayley (England) were present.
In the General Assembly, representatives from 16 federations
participated (Austria, Bulgaria, Denmark, Germany, Spain, France,
Greece, Iran, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, England, North
Africa, Sweden και Turkey) (Vervaecke, in press a).

In 20/9-3/10/1981, the International Olympic Committee holds the
IOC Olympic Congress in Baden-Baden, Germany. The FIS was
represented by the President José Antonio de Pasqual (Spain) and
the Secretary General Maria Theresa Paredes Fargas (Spain). They
received this special invitation because of the good rapport
between the FIS President and the IOC President, Juan Antonio
Samaranch (Vervaecke, in press a).

In 13-14/10/1982, the Board of Directors and subsequently the
General Assembly of the International World Games Association
convened in Monte Carlo, Monaco. Dr. Un Yong Kim PhD (South-
Korea) chaired the meeting. He informed the members of the board
that the following 12 national associations will be the members of
the IWGA board for the sports that will be included in the
association’s sports. Lifesaving sport represented by ILS was among
these sports (Vervaecke, in press a).

In 17/5-15/6/1985, the Secretary General of the WLS Paul W.
Smith, went on a tour to promote the association in 7 countries
having meetings with different national associations. More

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Opportunities and Challenges of Lifesaving as Olympic Sport

specifically, he visited the Irish Water Safety Association and the
Irish Lifeboat Association in Ireland, the Instituto do Socorros a
Nuafragos in Portugal (which had organized the first National
Lifesaving Championship with the participation of 300 athletes),
the Surf Life Saving Association of Great Britain in England, the
Hellenic Red Cross in Greece, the Egyptian Underwater Sport and
Rescue Federation in Egypt, the Anzac Life Saving Club in the Sinai
Desert and the Pattaya Beach Lifeguards in Thailand (Vervaecke, in
press b).

In 1985, in the Olympic Games of London, the World Games
introduced lifesaving sport in their competition schedule (World
Games 1985).

In 1985, the World Masters Games (WMG) were held in Toronto for
the first time. It is the greatest athletic event in the world. Athletes
from 100 countries compete in 28 sports and 45 disciplines. These
championships offer the masters enthusiasts of lifesaving sport the
opportunity to take part in an international event recognized by
the International Olympic Committee. With more athletes than the
ones participating in the Olympic Games, the WMG are the only
multi-sport event on the planet. They are held every 4 years. It is
a pinnacle for masters athletes around the world. The WMG aims
at promoting lifelong participation in sporting events. Contrary
to the Olympic Games, the athletes represent themselves and
not their country (picture 20, World Masters Games, 2017).

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Opportunities and Challenges of Lifesaving as Olympic Sport

Picture 20: The World Masters Games included lifesaving sport. WMG Archives.

In 1987, Greg Bonann, a lifeguard on a Los Angeles beach and also
an internationally acclaimed documentarist of several Olympic
Games, makes use of a lifeguard competition to convince his
partners of the potential of the lifeguard’s profession as a TV
series. The beginning involved the spectacular setting of a
simulated rescue. Three lifeguards jump into the sea from a 7
million dollar worth Coast Guard helicopter and try to rescue
victims. The competition included rescues, races, rowing
disciplines, unlimited action, noise, victories and defeats. The
professional scriptwriters and friends of his, Doug Schwartz and
Michael Berk, are impressed by the competition. As Bonann
mentions in his autobiography, this lifesaving sport competition
was the perfect chance to get to know lifesaving and the reason for
the birth of Baywatch (Bonann, 2000).

In 12-20/9/1991, the Swedish Life Saving Federation organizes the
FIS Lifesaving World Championships in Jonkoping, Sweden. During
this event, FIS Board Meetings and a Merging Committee were
agreed upon. It was agreed that the world association needs to
have a General Assembly as the supreme body, a Board of
Directors and Committees for Sports, Education, Rescue and
Medicine. The committee was of the opinion that Lifesaving World
Championships should be held every 4 years in a pool and at sea
but subsequently it was decided to hold championships biannually
(Vervaecke, in press a; picture 21).

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Opportunities and Challenges of Lifesaving as Olympic Sport

Picture 21: The Merging Committee in Jonkoping, Sweden. From left to right: Max
Bowman (USA), Dr. Harald Vervaecke (Belgium), Klaus Bartnizke (Germany), Pedro
Walch den Tuinder (Spain), Derrick Whitting – Chair (North Africa), Bertil Werner –
Legal Advisor (Sweden), Gus Staunton – Secretary (Australia), Doug D’Arnall (USA), Dr.
Klaus Wilkens (Germany). Harald Vervaecke Archives.

Picture 22: The representatives of the FIS and WLS associations attending the
meeting sign their intention to merge the two associations in order to constitute ILS.
Harald Vervaecke Archives.

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Opportunities and Challenges of Lifesaving as Olympic Sport

In 18-28/2/1993, the FIS holds the General Assembly in Leuven,
Belgium. It was hosted by the Belgian Life Saving Federation
chaired by Dr. Harald Vervaecke. The meetings took place in Salons
Georges. The atmosphere was positive and the representatives of
FIS and WLS wished for the merger. Their representatives signed
their intention to constitute the International Life Saving
Federation (ILS). The draft was signed by all the representatives in
attendance (picture 22).
They intended to connect the merger with the World Lifesaving
Championship "Rescue 94" in Cardiff, Wales. The countries that
signed the merger and the first ILS Constitution were: Algeria,
Australia-Royal, Australia-Surf, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, the Czech
Republic, Estonia, France, Germany, Iran, Ireland, Italy, the
Netherlands, New Zealand-Surf, Norway, North Africa, Spain,
Sweden, Taiwan (Chinese Taipei), Great Britain-Royal, Great Britain-
Surf, the USA and the observers New Zealand-Royal and RLSS-
Commonwealth. Kevin Weldon AM was temporarily appointed as
President (Australia-Surf) and Dr. Harald Vervaecke as ILS Secretary
General (Belgium) (Vervaecke, in press a, picture 23).

Picture 23: Reception of the meeting attendees at the City Hall by the Mayor of
Leuven. Harald Vervaecke Archives.

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Opportunities and Challenges of Lifesaving as Olympic Sport

In 3/9/1994, in Cardiff (England), the representatives of the three
associations, the General Assemblies of WLS and FIS merged to
form the International Life Saving Federation (ILS). The founding
ceremony was organized by Dr. Harald Vervaecke. Almost 600
people attended the event. Two ILS Patrons were the VIP guests,
the former Prime Minister of Australia, H.E. Robert James Lee
Hawke, and the former Prime Minister of Ireland, H.E. Charles
Haughey. The ceremony opened with the parade of the 55 flags of
the national associations of the Member Federations of the ILS and
the ILS flag parading under the sound of the ILS hymn. The merger
was signed in a spectacular ritual. The ILS flag was hoisted and the
WLS and FIS flags were lowered (Vervaecke, in press a, pictures 24-
27).

Picture 24: The ILS constitution ceremony in Cardiff, England. Harald Vervaecke
Archives.

Picture 25: The ILS constitution ceremony in Cardiff, England. Harald Vervaecke
Archives.

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Opportunities and Challenges of Lifesaving as Olympic Sport

Picture 26: H.E. Charles Haughey (former Prime Minister of Ireland, ILS Patron) grants
former FIS representatives the title of Grand Knight in the Order of Lifesaving. From
left to right: Klaus Bartnitzke (Germany), Dr. Klaus Wilkens (Germany), Dr. Stoyan Saev
(Bulgaria), Gerhard Stipani (Austria), Maria Theresia Paredes Fargas (Spain), Michael
Somers (Ireland), Bertil Werner (Sweden), Charles Haughey (Ireland), Ann De Krock
(Belgium). Harald Vervaecke Archives.

Picture 27: The WLS and FIS flags are lowered while the ILS flag is being hoisted. This
signals the end of the FIS and the WLS that formed the ILS. Harald Vervaecke
Archives.

In the following years, the ILS was recognized by 7 international
organizations [International Olympic Committee, World Health
Organization, Sport Accord, Association of IOC Recognised
International Sports Federations (ARISF), International World
Games Association (IWGA), International Military Sports Council
(CISM), International Masters Games Association (IMGA)]. The ILS is

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Opportunities and Challenges of Lifesaving as Olympic Sport

the leading lifesaving federation globally. It holds World and
European Championships.

In 10-12/5/1996, the Lifesaving World Championship "Rescue 96"
is held in North Africa. More than 2.000 lifesavers from 130 teams
competed. The competitors’ level was high. The Baywatch Team,
composed by the actors of the world’s #1 TV series “Baywatch”,
takes part in the championship (Vervaecke, H. 29/5/2019, personal
communication). The team ranks 4th (the type of ranking is not
specified). Extracts of the championships were shown on the
episode "Let the Games Begin" (Bonann, 2000). The participation of
the team contributed hugely to the promotion of lifesaving sport,
as the TV series was being broadcast to 1.1 billion people in 149
countries around the planet every month (Wikipedia, 2020).

In 28-29/5/1996, the 1st RLSS Commonwealth Lifesaving
Championships took place in Coventry parallel to the Quinquennial
Conference in Stratford upon Avon (Avramidis et al., 2017).

In 18/7/1996, during the 105th meeting of the International
Olympic Committee in Atlanta, the ILS was recognized by the IOC
(ILS 1996).

In 2002, the British University Lifesaving Clubs' Association
(BULSCA) is founded in England. It organizes university lifesaving
games. Two years later, a rule manual and a constitution are
drafted. Ever since, it has grown significantly, running a league and
a championship annually. Almost 30 teams from 10 British
universities participate. Several lifesavers have competed on an
international scale and most of them on a national level (Barker,
2020).

In 14-20/5/2004, the ILS Secretary General, Harald Vervaecke,
participated in meetings of the General Association of International
Sports Federations (GAISF) and the International Olympic
Committee (IOC) in Lausanne (Switzerland). He also took part in
meetings ran by the Association of IOC Recognised Sports

49