USOA entered USOC in 1989. Even then, the word was to get on Olympic Program, a new sport had to go through a IF already on the Program - ie gymnastics, swimming, volleyball, etc. Syncro went in thru swimming, FINA; rthymtic gymnastics thru standard gymnastics; etc. I believe but I am not postive that fin swimming may (MAY) have had opportunity to move to FINA, but CMAS did not want to give it up. Personally, I didn't realize Open Water Swimming existed. USOA is in was used to be called Group C in USOC - or emerging, new sports. Others in the group vary: oreinteering, etc but I don't think Open Water Swimming was in group. IOC president has said No More summer sports which again emphaizes getting 'in' via recognized group. Fin Swimming is in World Games, sometimes called the Olympics for non Olympic sports, but it is a new entry and could be bumped easily. All Games are tremendously expensive, especially with the security now required, hence the limiting. The old standard, may still exist, a country may only send a team to Olympics that is 10% larger than previous Olympics. No biggee for country such as USA, but smaller countries are quite constrained. And believe me, no matter what is said in public, medals count big time. Can a country medal in a sport is supreme criteria for participation in that sport.

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Carol Rose