FINA confirm rescheduling of World Championships as new date is set

FINA has confirmed that the 19th World Championships has been rescheduled and will now take place in 2023.

The competition was due to be held in Fukuoka, Japan, between 13-29 May.

Now it will be held from 14-30 July 2023, with the 20th World Championships in Doha, Qatar, which was scheduled for November next year, being moved to January 2024.

World governing body FINA said the decision had been taken with the ‘best interests’ of everyone involved.

The championships was one of three major events due to be held this year, with the Commonwealth Games and European Championships also scheduled.

FINA said it was in constant dialogue with athletes and coaches regarding the upcoming international aquatics competition calendar, with the goal of minimising the impact on preparation and performance, while acknowledging the current health impacts of the Omicron Covid-19 variant.

Provide a measure of certainty

Husain Al-Musallam, FINA president, said: “Given the current pandemic situation and the measures currently in place in Japan, FINA and key stakeholders of the Fukuoka 2022 Organising Committee have agreed to reschedule the 19th FINA World Championships to 14-30 July 2023.

“The 20th FINA World Championships in Doha, Qatar, will now take place in January 2024.

“These decisions have been taken in the best interests of everyone involved.

“FINA will continue to prioritise the welfare of competition participants and take decisions as early as possible given the circumstances, in order to provide a measure of certainty to aquatics athletes and those who support them.”

Revised dates for the FINA World Masters Championships will be confirmed as soon as possible.

FINA said it will also announce an updated 2022 international aquatics calendar that will offer athletes additional opportunities to compete at the highest level.