Doha will stage the 12th Fina World Swimming Championships in 2014, Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) announced yesterday.
Doha was awarded the championships by Fina, the world governing body in swimming.
“We are very pleased to have the 12th Fina World Swimming Championships (25m) in 2014 in the outstanding Aspire Academy’s Aquatic Centre in Doha,” Fina President Dr Julio C Maglione said in a statement released by QOC yesterday.
“I am sure that all swimmers, coaches, officials, and representatives of the participating national federations will enjoy a great competition and be impressed by the Qatari hospitality,” Maglione added.
Fina will join hands with QOC and the Qatar Swimming Federation (QSF) to stage the short-distance championships.
Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Secretary General of QOC, welcomed the Fina decision.
“It is a great honour for Doha to be awarded these championships by Fina. Swimming is an important and popular sport in Qatar and we will give a special welcome to the athletes, fans and officials in 2014,” Sheikh Saoud said.
“Working with Fina and hosting the championships is a further sign of our commitment to the development of sports in Qatar and across the Middle East. We are investing in sport at every level and we promise to deliver a great event,” Sheikh Saoud added.
Khaleel Al Jabir, President of QSF added: “We are delighted with this decision which fits well with our commitment to Fina’s global events programme and the development of swimming in Qatar. This a real boost to our plans for the sport here in Qatar and also a great platform to further develop swimming in the region.”
Istanbul, the Turkish capital, will stage the 25m pool event from December 12 to 16 later this year.
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