Abu Dhabi to host Fina World Swimming Championship in December

FINA World Swimming Championships - Competing athletes will be fresh from the Olympic Games in Tokyo. Courtesy Abu Dhabi Sports Council

Abu Dhabi will host the Fina World Swimming Championship at the end of the year, Abu Dhabi Sports Council announced Tuesday.

The biennial event, also known as the Short Course Worlds, will be held at the Etihad Arena on Yas Island from December 16-21.

It is the second time the championship will be staged in the UAE after Dubai hosted the event in 2010.

The championship in Abu Dhabi was originally to be held in 2020 but was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Fina World Aquatics Convention, made up of 44 different events, will also take place at the same time.

“The Fina World Swimming Championships will be a highlight of the 2021 sporting calendar, and we are thrilled to be able to bring the event to Abu Dhabi, one of the world’s fastest-growing sporting hubs,” said Fina president Dr Julio C Maglione.

“Having previously staged events such as the Fina High Diving World Cup and Fina Open Water Swim World Cup in Abu Dhabi, we know there is a huge interest for top-quality sporting action among the local community.

“We are extremely proud to give fans in Abu Dhabi and the UAE another major event to look forward to at the end of a big year for sport.”

Aref Al Awani, general secretary of Abu Dhabi Sports Council, said: “We are absolutely delighted to bring the Fina World Swimming Championships to Abu Dhabi later this year,” he said.

“This is set to be a huge event for Yas Island, Abu Dhabi and the UAE, with over 1,000 of the most talented short-course swimmers from around the world, fresh from the Olympic Games in Tokyo, showcasing their abilities in what we expect to be an exciting competition.

“Abu Dhabi continues to showcase its ability to host large-scale events while ensuring the safety of everybody in attendance in the land of tolerance and peace.”