Doha: The recently-concluded FINA Mastbank Swimming World Cup here witnessed outstanding performances with three world records being rewritten. Now, the Qatari capital is preparing to host a“Festival of Aquatics” from November 29 to December 7.
The “Festival of Aquatics” includes the third FINA World Aquatics Convention, the FINA Extraordinary Congress, the second FINA Gold Swimming Coaches Clinic, the 12th FINA World Swimming Championships (25m), a youth training programme and the FINA Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony – ‘Soirée des Etoiles’
The third FINA World Aquatics Convention is scheduled to be held at The Ritz-Carlton Hotel here from November 29 to December 1. It precedes the 12th FINA World Swimming Championships (25m), which will be held at the Hamad Aquatic Centre between December 3 and 7.
The Aquatics Convention will this time also include the FINA Extraordinary Congress, a session to determine future innovations and rule changes in the sport. And the second FINA Gold Swimming Coaches Clinic will be a knowledge-sharing opportunity for top-level coaches.
The World Swimming Championships will draw 1,000 athletes from over 160 countries. Organised in even years, the FINA World Swimming Championships (25m) gather the world’s fastest swimmers for a five-day, top-level showdown in a 25m pool. Forty six events (34 individual and 12 relays) are featured on the competition programme for altogether 138 medals.
For the first time during the championships, the host city will run a youth programme, organised by FINA and the Qatar Olympic Committee. Over 350 young athletes are invited to experience the championships and learn the latest techniques that help shape today’s swimming champions.
Several announcements are also scheduled to take place in Doha. The FINA Gala Dinner together with the inaugural Awards Ceremony – ‘Soirée des Etoiles’ will honour the best athletes in Aquatics. Participants at the FINA events in Doha will also be the first to witness the host cities of the FINA World Swimming Championships (25m) 2018 and 2020.
“Doha is a great example of legacy in our sport. With experience in hosting high-level aquatic competitions, including the FINA Swimming World Cup and the FINA Diving World Series, the city is now getting ready for the FINA World Swimming Championships (25m). Together with the organisation of the FINA World Aquatics Convention, Qatar will be the centre of the aquatic world at the end of the year!” said FINA President Dr Julio C. Maglione.
“We couldn’t be more excited to be in Doha with the FINA World Aquatics Convention, FINA’s official business platform, which for sure will bring development and knowledge to Qatar and the region, and as usual supports our 204 National Federations in meeting the international aquatics industry.”
The Convention will facilitate knowledge transfer and business interaction in the Middle East by providing an opportunity for sports institutions and industry leaders to meet.
“We are delighted to welcome FINA back to our city,” said Khaleel Al Jabir, President of Qatar Swimming Association and CEO of Doha 2014. “Both the Convention and Championships offer a chance for businesses to network and share best practice with the international aquatics industry, and to promote FINA’s disciplines to the Qatari population, engaging them in aquatics.
“We look forward to demonstrating and celebrating Qatar as a hub for aquatics and a destination for all sport,” he said.
To find out more, or to register to attend the 3rd FINA World Aquatics Convention, visit: www.worldaquaticsconvention.com.
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