New date set for World Championships to avoid Olympic Games clash

A new date has been confirmed for the 2021 FINA World Aquatics Championships – to avoid a clash with the rearranged Olympic Games.

The event was due to take place next year in Fukuoka, Japan, between 16 July and 1 August.

But with the 2020 Olympic Games being postponed until 2021 due to the coronavirus crisis, the World Aquatics Championships have also been put back almost 12 months.

The rescheduled Tokyo Olympic Games are taking place between 23 July and 8 August 2021.

FINA has now revealed the 2021 World Aquatics Championships will be held from 13 to 29 May 2022.

Dr Julio C. Maglione, FINA President, said: “After liaising with the relevant stakeholders and receiving feedback from them, we have no doubt that the decision taken will provide the best possible conditions for all participants at the Championships.

“We look forward to witnessing the world’s best aquatic athletes from around the world competing in the city of Fukuoka, Japan, in 2022.

“At a time of unprecedented uncertainty, FINA hopes the announcement of these dates will allow for some clarity in planning for all concerned.”

It means the FINA World Championships will now take place two months before the 2022 Commonwealth Games begins in Birmingham.

Great Britain won a total of 12 medals at the 2019 World Aquatics Championships in Gwangju, South Korea – seven in the swimming competition.

Adam Peaty led the way with gold in the 50m and 100m Breaststroke, which included a new world record of 56.88 in his 100m semi-final swim.

He claimed a third gold alongside Luke Greenbank, James Guy and Duncan Scott in the Men’s 4x100m Medley Relay.