FINA WORLD SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS (25M) 2021
Major announcements
were made today, Tuesday June 29, in Abu Dhabi (UAE) during a press conference
held at the Emirates Palace which was attended by FINA President Captain Husain
Al-Musallam, Secretary General of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council HE Aref Hamad Al
Awani, President of the UAE Swimming Federation HE Sultan Al Samahi and HE
Mohamed Al Zaabi, Chief Executive Officer of Miral Asset Management, along with
Abdullah Al-Wahaibi, Tournament Director, and FINA Bureau Member Taha Al
Kishry.
The Abu Dhabi Sports
Council revealed the latest developments and preparations for hosting the FINA
World Swimming Championships (25m) scheduled to take place at Yas Island’s
hugely impressive Etihad Arena from 16-21 December this year, along with the
FINA World Aquatics Convention, promising a swimming festival in Abu Dhabi this
December.
Amongst the
annoucements was the reveal of the event mascot - Dana the Hawksbill Turtle. As
strong swimmers displaying grace and power while underwater, the endangered
Hawksbill Turtle, which is native to Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Island, is the
perfect mascot for the FINA World Swimming Championships (25m).
The community
programmes set to be implemented ahead of the event were also announced,
including a Swim Safety Ambassador Programme, in which graduates can become a
certified swim safety ambassador, and a Schools and Club Roadshow, which will
feature appearances from Dana the Hawksbill Turtle, along with a virtual
swimming activation providing an insight into the challenges faced by
elite-level swimmers during championship races. There will also be activations
at Yas Mall, Open Swim sessions and Olympic Watch Parties, while anybody
wishing to get involved in the event can sign up to become a volunteer.
In addition, two
Emirati wildcard participants who will represent the UAE at this year’s FINA
World Swimming Championships (25m) have been revealed. Youssef Al Matrooshi,
18, and Layla Al Khatib, 15, will be the first Emirati athletes to be selected
raising the challenge to face elite international swimmers. UAE’s most
promising talents have already achieved considerable success, and Al Matrooshi
will represent is country in the 100m free at the Tokyo Olympic Games.
FINA President
Captain Husain Al-Musallam said: “We have great faith and trust in Abu Dhabi’s
plans for hosting the FINA World Swimming Championships (25m) later this year,
and the announcement of the operational readiness, Emirati wildcard athletes
and the official event mascot only adds to the sense of anticipation ahead of
the event. Abu Dhabi has proved its long-term support and success in hosting
major international events, and it will surely organise the FINA World Swimming
Championships (25m) with success."
“As recently elected
FINA President, I’m very much looking forward to bringing the FINA World
Swimming Championships (25m) to Abu Dhabi for the first time, particularly
during a year in which the country celebrates its 50th anniversary. We have
very fond memories from the 2010 edition, brilliantly held in Dubai."
“I am sure both
Youssef and Layla will undoubtedly make the UAE proud. They are a source of
inspiration for all aquatic athletes in the country and in the region. Having
represented my own country as a swimmer, I know the sacrifices which need to be
made in order to compete at the highest level.”
HE Aref Hamad Al
Awani, Secretary General of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, conveyed the regards
of His Highness Sheikh Nahyan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi
Sports Council, welcoming Captain Husain Al-Musallam, President of FINA in Abu
Dhabi. He noted that hosting the event is a result of the support of great
leadership and a mission to develop the sports sector which is reflected in
economic, tourist, and community development.
“Hosting an
international event of this stature reflects the UAE’s and Abu Dhabi’s position
and pioneering role in the return of normal life to society after the challenge
witnessed by the world.
"We are excited
to host the FINA World Swimming Championships (25m) at one of the leading
venues on Yas Island, Etihad Arena, and we look forward to welcoming almost
1,000 elite short-distance swimmers from all over the world, especially as it
comes after the conclusion of the Olympic Games in Tokyo, which adds more
excitement to the competition in Abu Dhabi.
"The
announcement, which combines the UAE’s wildcards, the Championship’s mascot,
and the accompanying community activities, represents a significant step in the
preparations for this important event. The reveal of Dana the Hawksbill Turtle,
the event’s official mascot, celebrates the UAE’s rich heritage in aquatics,
and represents an important step in the overall event narrative. We are
confident this will be a fantastic way of engaging a young audience across the
country in the lead-up to the event.
“We welcome all
sporting delegations to take part in the FINA World Swimming Championships
(25m), and the sessions during the FINA World Aquatics Convention. With its
successful track record in hosting and organising large events safely, Abu
Dhabi is fully ready to welcome both events this December.”
Sultan Al Samahi,
President of UAE Swimming Federation, added: “I would like to take this
opportunity to highlight the impact of the Championships on swimming in the
UAE, and the country’s reputation for staging world-class sporting events.
Hosting the FINA World Swimming Championships (25m) is a great honour for both
Abu Dhabi and the UAE. Not only does it provide fantastic entertainment for the
watching public, but it also presents a huge opportunity to enhance the growth
of swimming and sporting excellence in the country.
“Over the years, Abu
Dhabi has successfully hosted several swimming events, including the FINA High
Diving World Cup and FINA Open Water Swim World Cup. Every event we
successfully stage further enhances the UAE’s reputation as the region’s hub
for international sports.
“The standard of
coaching has also improved to the extent that we now have Emirati swimmers
competing in major events on the world stage, and we look forward to cheering
on our own swimmers this December at Etihad Arena. We look forward to watching
them compete on home soil when the FINA World Swimming Championships (25m)
comes to Abu Dhabi in December.”
Originally scheduled
for 2020, the FINA World Swimming Championships (25m) will feature 46 finals
over six days. Full Schedule available here https://resources.fina.org/fina/document/2021/04/23/5eddbb82-d803-404b-b676-ea96f8ed40d3/FINA-World-Swimming-Championships-25m-AbuDhabi-2021-competition-scheduleL-rev.25.2.2021.pdf
Fédération
Internationale de Natation (FINA)
The Fédération
Internationale de Natation, founded in 1908, is the governing body for aquatics
worldwide. FINA's five discipline Swimming, Open Water Swimming, Diving, Water
Polo and Artistic Swimming - are all included in the Olympic programme. High
Diving made its first appearance in FINA events at the 2013 FINA World
Championships. FINA counts 209 affiliated National Federations on the five
continents and has its headquarters in Lausanne (SUI).
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