WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — FINA vice president Bill Matson, who recently had surgery during the final days of the swimming world championships in China, has died. He was 72.
Swimming New Zealand chairman Murray Coulter said “we had all expected he would make a speedy recovery . It’s an absolute tragedy for the family and for the sport of swimming.”
Details of Matson’s operation weren’t released by FINA — swimming’s world governing body — or his family. The world championships ended July 31.
FINA said Monday from Lausanne, Switzerland, that the New Zealand-based Matson was a bureau member since 1996, and became FINA vice president in 2005. He was involved in several aspects of the recently concluded world titles, including open water swimming.
