(ATR) FINA says seven countries want to host the 2021 or 2023 world championships.
Despite criticism over the cost of the event, the aquatics federation now has multiple countries interested in hosting their future championships.
FINA announced Thursday that Argentina, Australia, China, Germany, Japan, Turkey and Qatar have all expressed interest to host either the 2021 or 2023 FINA world championships.
Earlier this year, Guadalajara suddenly retracted their right to host the 2017 FINA world championships after stating the $100 million price tag for the event was too high.
After the decision was made in February, FINA quickly began their search for a replacement host. Countries such as the United States echoed Guadalajara’s sentiments.
"We would love to host a long course world championships in the United States, but the economic requirements make it impossible for us to seriously consider," said Chuck Wielgus, executive director for USA Swimming.
The executive director for the American and World Swimming Coaches association John Leonard also criticized the cost of the event.
"FINA has now inflated the price of a world championships beyond what any democracy would consider prudent to pay for a sports event," Leonard said.
A month after criticism surfaced, Budapest, Hungary announced they would step in to host the 2017 championships.Budapest had been selected by FINA to host the 2021 world championships. This agreement for Budapest was part of FINA’s selection of four host cities for their next four world championships, making the federation one of the first to do so.
The city’s decision to step in for the 2017 championships reopened the race to host the 2021 event, accompanied by the race to host the 2023 edition as well.
The seven countries that have expressed interest will now be invited to an informational meeting on June 30 to kick-start the bidding process. FINA says they hope to make a selection for the hosts of these two championships by the end of 2015.
The 2015 edition of the FINA world championships will get underway July 24 in Kazan, Russia.
Written by Kevin Nutley
20 Years at #1: Your best source of news about the Olympics is AroundTheRings.com, for subscribers only.
Últimas Noticias
Boxing’s place in the Olympics remains in peril as IOC still unhappy with the state of AIBA’s reform efforts
The IOC says issues concerning governance, finance, and refereeing and judging must be sorted out to its satisfaction. AIBA says it’s confident that will happen and the federation will be reinstated.
McLaren report to FIBA confirms abuses in the Mali women’s basketball program
The investigation could not “independently verify” allegations against FIBA president Hamane Niang, who has resumed his duties after stepping aside during the probe.
ATR Extra: 1st ISF U15 World School Sport Games – Belgrade 2021
Olympic Channel is live streaming the basketball, basketball 3x3, football, judo and wrestling competitions during the event, which runs September 11-19.
International Judo Federation bans Algerian athlete and coach for 10 years for refusing to fight an Israeli at Tokyo 2020
Judoka Fethi Nourine and his coach Amar Benikhlef admitted they were withdrawing from competition to avoid a potential match with Tohar Butbul of Israel.
IIHF bans Belarus hockey president for five years for code of conduct violations - Federation Focus
Also: no contested election for next ITTF president; BWF calendar shrinks as event in India cancelled due to pandemic; FISU announces early bids for 2027 and 2029 World University Games
