Alex Pussieldi Is Hiding in Plain Sight at Meets in Florida, and USA Swimming Has Nothing to Say
February 11, 2026‘Sports-abuse agency promises new reforms, after years of failing young athletes’ — Now at Salon
February 22, 2026PREVIOUSLY:
“Alex Pussieldi Update: Decade After Ouster in Florida, Peeping Tom and Multinational Trafficker Coach Remains a Powerful Figure in Brazilian Swimming,” October 27, 2025, https://concussioninc.net/?p=15882
“Questions Swirl Around Azura Aquatics in Davie, Florida. Is Owner Gianluca Alberani Just Alex Pussieldi 2.0?,” January 28, https://concussioninc.net/?p=16521
“Alex Pussieldi Is Hiding in Plain Sight at Meets in Florida, and USA Swimming Has Nothing to Say,” February 11, https://concussioninc.net/?p=16538
by Irvin Muchnick
According to a spokesperson, Nova Southeastern University is “reviewing” questions Concussion Inc. submitted on February 13 and February 17 regarding the institution’s relationships with the Azura Aquatics program and with disgraced Brazilian-American swimming coach Alex Pussieldi.
On those dates, I emailed both university president Harry K. Moon and the listed media contact, Irvin Harrell. When neither email was acknowledged, I followed up again on Wednesday, and cc’d both Barry Somerstein, Nova’s general counsel, and Charles L. Palmer, chair of the board of trustees.
Pashen Black then emailed back that he is the university’s “new director of public relations” and is “reviewing your email.”
I will, of course, publish whatever substantive response comes through. Our questions:
1. What is the contractual arrangement between Nova Southeastern University and Azura Aquatics? Does Azura lease the aquatics complex there? Are there other elements of the agreement, such as provision of campus housing for some Azura athletes? (And regardless of whether housing is a formal part of the university’s contract with the swim club, does Nova Southeastern house one or more Azura Aquatics swimmers?)
2. When did the Azura relationship start?
3. Before the relationship started, did the university vet Azura for the possibility that it was simply a thinly disguised successor entity of Pussieldi’s Nadadores, with a similar or identical business model? Did you find Pussieldi connections at the time? Did they trouble you?
4. Does Pussieldi have an Azura role now? If so, what is it? Regardless, many swimming people in South Florida are concerned about Pussieldi’s evident resurfacing. Do you believe it is appropriate for Pussieldi to be a presence on your campus generally and at the aquatics complex specifically? If so, why?
