FINA confirms Budapest will host World Championships in 2022

FINA has confirmed that there will be a World Championships in 2022 to help ‘maximise opportunities for established and emerging aquatics athletes’.

The world governing body has made the announcement only days after rescheduling the 2022 competition, which was due to take place in Fukuoka, Japan, from 13-29 May to 14-30 July 2023.

It was switched due to the current health impacts of the Omicron Covid-19 variant and the pandemic measures currently in place in Japan.

Budapest, Hungary, is now set to host the World Championships for swimming, diving, water polo, artistic swimming and open water swimming from 18 June to 3 July 2022.

Husain Al-Musallam, FINA president, said: “As an aquatics community, we are finding solutions around the pandemic and today’s announcement is an important step in this process

“We know we need to be imaginative in our approach in navigating through the current health crisis for our athletes. Today’s agreement is a testament to this work. 

Deeply grateful

“FINA also recognises that the pandemic is evolving differently according to time and place. 

“We are extremely fortunate to have event hosts that share our passion for aquatics and have the willingness, capability and flexibility to organise FINA’s most prestigious event. 

“We are deeply grateful to all our hosts and know that aquatics athletes feel the same way.

“With four FINA World Championships and the Paris 2024 Olympic Games over the next four years, we are maximising the racing opportunities and earnings potential for established and emerging aquatics athletes alike.”

FINA said it will continue to work towards similar event programming for high dive athletes and masters competitors.

It also continues to consult athletes and stakeholders on the schedule for the FINA World Championships in Doha, Qatar and more information will follow as soon as possible.