FINA encouraged by strong interest for its 2021 and 2023 World Championships

As FINA prepares for another record-breaking World Championships in Kazan, Russia, world-class cities from 7 countries across 4 continents have expressed a strong interest in hosting the 2021 and 2023 World Championships.   

 

After a cumulative audience of 4.5 billion watched the 2013 FINA World Championships in Barcelona, Spain, across six platforms (live, delayed, repeat, highlights, news, and sport magazines), world-class cities from 7 countries across 4 continents now expressed a strong interest in hosting one of the most followed international sport events on the planet. FINA is naturally in discussions with each of the potential candidates and is providing them with all the necessary information to plan their proposals. The world governing body hopes to announce the chosen host cities by the end of 2015.

Already FINA has received expressions of interest from Argentina, Australia (with Melbourne or Sydney), China (with Wuhan or Nanjing), Germany (two potential cities), Japan, Turkey and Qatar. On 30 June 2015, an information meeting will be organised for the nations and cities which have shown an interest in bidding for the 2021 and 2023 FINA World Championships.

FINA created a landmark in its history by becoming one of the first International Federations to select host cities for the next four editions of its World Championships. The next two editions will be held in Budapest, Hungary, in 2017 and in Gwangju, Korea, in 2019.

FINA President, Dr. Julio C. Maglione said:

“We are delighted with the strong level of interest from a number of different cities who want to host swimming’s showcase event. I believe that they are all attracted by the evidence that the FINA World Championships brings clear economic, social, cultural, tourism and sports impacts to every host city. There is a measurable benefit through better youth and community facilities, through high-performance opportunities, and through showcasing your city to a global audience.

“FINA’s policy to name our next four hosts reinforces the stability of our calendar, which benefits National Federations, and also our commercial and TV partners.”

2,200 athletes from a record 188 countries have registered so far for the 16th FINA World Championships, in Kazan, Russia, due to take place from 24 July to 9 August 2015.

Source: FINA press release.