Everything you need to know about Olympic Swimming at Tokyo 2021

Your one-stop guide to swimming at the Tokyo Olympic Games in 2021, including top athletes, venue information, schedule and more!

Swimming is the second-largest sport at the Olympics, featuring a record total of 35 events at Tokyo 2020 (excluding marathon swimming). Only athletics has more medals on offer.

New additions to the Games programme for 2021 in Japan are the men's 800m freestyle, women's 1,500m freestyle, and the exciting mixed 4×100m medley relay.

Below, we take a look at the athletes expected to light up the Tokyo Aquatics Centre, and the competition schedule, in our top things to know about Olympic Swimming guide.

 

Top Olympic swimmers at Tokyo 2020

Michael Phelps left incredibly big shoes to fill when he retired at Rio 2016, but the USA may have found an athlete up the task in Caeleb Dressel.

The Florida native scooped up six titles at the 2019 World Championships and broke several short-course records in a dominant 2020. Phelps actually thinks that Dressel could match his eight Olympic gold medal-haul in Japan.

Dressel’s compatriot Katie Ledecky secured four gold medals at Rio 2016 and, despite only winning one event at the last world champs due to illness, will likely be the favourite for all freestyle races up to 1,500m. Her re-match with Australia’s 400m world champion Ariarne Titmus is sure to produce fireworks.

With the five fastest 100m breaststroke times ever, it would take something very special to stop British GOAT Adam Peaty from retaining his Olympic title. But can he help Britain’s world champion 4x100m medley relay team cause another upset?

Individual medley queen Katinka Hosszu may be going to the Games without a coach, but the Hungarian’s consistent performances over the past Olympic cycle mean she is favoured to retain her medley Olympic titles. On the men’s medley side, there are high hopes for Japan’s double reigning world champion SETO Daiya, after completing a non-sport-related suspension in 2020.

Finally, they don’t call Sarah Sjostrom ‘Gold Bae’ for no reason, and the Swedish eight-time world champ will be a medal threat over the butterfly and freestyle sprints.

 

 

Olympic Swimming schedule at Tokyo 2020

The competition (excluding marathon swimming) will take place from 24 July - 1 August 2021.

Check here the complete schedule and all times are in Japan Standard Time (JST).

*All times in Japan Standard Time (JST)

Swimming

Date and Time: Sat 24 July 19:00 - 21:30

Venues: Tokyo Aquatics Centre

Men's 400m Individual Medley - Heats

Women's 100m Butterfly - Heats

Men's 400m Freestyle - Heats

Women's 400m Individual Medley - Heats

Men's 100m Breaststroke - Heats

Women's 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay - Heats

 

Date and Time: Sun 25 July 10:30 - 12:20

Venues: Tokyo Aquatics Centre

Men's 400m Individual Medley Final

Women's 100m Butterfly Semifinals

Men's 400m Freestyle Final

Men's 400m Individual Medley Victory Ceremony

Women's 400m Individual Medley Final

Men's 400m Freestyle Victory Ceremony

Men's 100m Breaststroke Semifinals

Women's 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay Final

Women's 400m Individual Medley Victory Ceremony

Women's 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay Victory Ceremony

 

Date and Time: Sun 25 July 19:00 - 21:30

Venues: Tokyo Aquatics Centre

Women's 100m Backstroke - Heats

Men's 200m Freestyle - Heats

Women's 100m Breaststroke - Heats

Men's 100m Backstroke - Heats

Women's 400m Freestyle - Heats

Men's 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay - Heats

 

Date and Time: Mon 26 July 10:30 - 12:40

Venues: Tokyo Aquatics Centre

Women's 100m Butterfly Final

Men's 200m Freestyle Semifinals

Women's 100m Breaststroke Semifinals

Women's 100m Butterfly Victory Ceremony

Men's 100m Breaststroke Final

Women's 400m Freestyle Final

Men's 100m Backstroke Semifinals

Men's 100m Breaststroke Victory Ceremony

Women's 100m Backstroke Semifinals

Men's 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay Final

Women's 400m Freestyle Victory Ceremony

Men's 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay Victory Ceremony

 

Date and Time: Mon 26 July 19:00 - 21:30

Venues: Tokyo Aquatics Centre

Women's 200m Freestyle - Heats

Men's 200m Butterfly - Heats

Women's 200m Individual Medley - Heats

Women's 1500m Freestyle - Heats

 

Date and Time: Tue 27 July 10:30 - 12:25

Venues: Tokyo Aquatics Centre

Women's 200m Freestyle Semifinals

Men's 200m Freestyle Final

Women's 100m Backstroke Final

Men's 100m Backstroke Final

Men's 200m Freestyle Victory Ceremony

Women's 100m Breaststroke Final

Women's 100m Backstroke Victory Ceremony

Men's 200m Butterfly Semifinals

Men's 100m Backstroke Victory Ceremony

Women's 200m Individual Medley Semifinals

Women's 100m Breaststroke Victory Ceremony

 

Date and Time: Tue 27 July 19:00 - 21:30

Venues: Tokyo Aquatics Centre

Men's 100m Freestyle - Heats

Women's 200m Butterfly - Heats

Men's 200m Breaststroke - Heats

Men's 4 x 200m Freestyle Relay - Heats

Men's 800m Freestyle - Heats

 

Date and Time: Wed 28 July 10:30 - 13:05

Venues: Tokyo Aquatics Centre

Men's 100m Freestyle Semifinals

Women's 200m Freestyle Final

Men's 200m Butterfly Final

Women's 200m Butterfly Semifinals

Women's 200m Freestyle Victory Ceremony

Men's 200m Breaststroke Semifinals

Men's 200m Butterfly Victory Ceremony

Women's 200m Individual Medley Final

Women's 1500m Freestyle Final

Women's 200m Individual Medley Victory Ceremony

Men's 4 x 200m Freestyle Relay Final

Women's 1500m Freestyle Victory Ceremony

Men's 4 x 200m Freestyle Victory Ceremony

 

Date and Time: Wed 28 July 19:00 - 21:30

Venues: Tokyo Aquatics Centre

Women's 100m Freestyle - Heats

Men's 200m Backstroke - Heats

Women's 200m Breaststroke - Heats

Men's 200m Individual Medley - Heats

Women's 4 x 200m Freestyle Relay - Heats

 

Date and Time: Thu 29 July 10:30 - 13:10

Venues: Tokyo Aquatics Centre

Men's 800m Freestyle Final

Men's 200m Breaststroke Final

Women's 100m Freestyle Semifinals

Men's 200m Backstroke Semifinals

Men's 800m Freestyle Victory Ceremony

Women's 200m Butterfly Final

Men's 100m Freestyle Final

Men's 200m Breaststroke Victory Ceremony

Women's 200m Breaststroke Semifinals

Men's 200m Individual Medley Semifinals

Women's 200m Butterfly Victory Ceremony

Women's 4 x 200m Freestyle Relay Final

Men's 100m Freestyle Victory Ceremony

Women's 4 x 200m Freestyle Relay Victory Ceremony

 

Date and Time: Thu 29 July 19:00 - 21:30

Venues: Tokyo Aquatics Centre

Women's 800m Freestyle - Heats

Men's 100m Butterfly - Heats

Women's 200m Backstroke - Heats

Mixed 4 x 100m Medley Relay - Heats

 

Date and Time: Fri 30 July 10:30 - 12:10

Venues: Tokyo Aquatics Centre

Men's 100m Butterfly Semifinals

Women's 200m Breaststroke Final

Men's 200m Backstroke Final

Women's 100m Freestyle Final

Women's 200m Breaststroke Victory Ceremony

Men's 200m Individual Medley Final

Men's 200m Backstroke Victory Ceremony

Women's 200m Backstroke Semifinals

Women's 100m Freestyle Victory Ceremony

Men's 200m Individual Medley Victory Ceremony

 

Date and Time: Fri 30 July 19:00 - 21:30

Venues: Tokyo Aquatics Centre

Men's 50m Freestyle - Heats

Women's 50m Freestyle - Heats

Men's 1500m Freestyle - Heats

Women's 4 x 100m Medley Relay - Heats

Men's 4 x 100m Medley Relay - Heat

 

Date and Time: Sat 31 July 10:30 - 12:20

Venues: Tokyo Aquatics Centre

Men's 100m Butterfly Final

Women's 200m Backstroke Final

Women's 800m Freestyle Final

Men's 100m Butterfly Victory Ceremony

Men's 50m Freestyle Semifinals

Women's 200m Backstroke Victory Ceremony

Women's 50m Freestyle Semifinals

Mixed 4 x 100m Medley Relay Final

Women's 800m Freestyle Victory Ceremony

Mixed 4 x 100m Medley Relay Victory Ceremony

 

Date and Time: Sun 1 Aug. 10:30 - 12:25

Venues: Tokyo Aquatics Centre

Men's 50m Freestyle Final

Women's 50m Freestyle Final

Men's 1500m Freestyle Final

Men's 50m Freestyle Victory Ceremony

Women's 4 x 100m Medley Relay Final

Women's 50m Freestyle Victory Ceremony

Men's 4 x 100m Medley Relay Final

Men's 1500m Freestyle Victory Ceremony

Women's 4 x 100m Medley Relay Victory Ceremony

Men's 4 x 100m Medley Relay Victory Ceremony

 

Olympic Swimming competition format at Tokyo 2020

Swimming will feature a total of 35 events (17 each for men and women and 1 mixed event) in the pool. This is an increase from the 32 events contested in the previous Olympic Games at Rio.

Another change will see the introduction of morning and afternoon segments, meaning that heats, semi-finals (where applicable), and finals of an event can all happen on different days.

 

 

Olympic swimming venue at Tokyo 2020

All swimming events (excluding marathon swimming) will take place at the band new Tokyo Aquatics Centre.

The state-of-the-art facility, which was opened by Rikako Ikee, is located in the Tatsumi-no-Mori Seaside Park with a 15,000-fan capacity.

Following the 2020 Olympic Games in 2021, the venue will host domestic and international swimming competitions.

By the Olympic Channel.

PARIS L'ARCHE FUTURE PISCINE FLOTTANTE, ENFIN AMARÉE EN BORD DE SEINE

 

L'Arche, une imposante péniche qui accueillera une piscine flottante ainsi que des équipements sportifs et de restauration, est arrimée depuis quelques semaines au port de Javel, dans le 15e arrondissement de Paris. En cours d'aménagement, elle devrait recevoir ses premiers visiteurs cet été, si les conditions sanitaires le permettent. Cnews présente en détail ce «nouveau quartier» qui va s'épanouir en bord de Seine.

Ce complexe de loisirs flottant, issu de l'appel à projets «Réinventer la Seine» en 2017, prend place sur une barge de 110 m de long pour 15 m de large. A terme, l'Arche sera divisée en trois espaces. Sur le pont, la piscine de longueur olympique étirera ses trois couloirs de nage sur 50 mètres de long. En extérieur, ce bassin sera chauffé à 28 °C et modulable pour permettre plusieurs activités (nage, aquagym, etc.). Il pourra également être vidé pour y organiser des événements, quand le Covid ne sera plus qu'un mauvais souvenir.

Sur le pont inférieur du navire, des salles de sport, des espaces de rééducation et de balnéothérapie seront répartis sur 1.000 m2. «Avec les nombreux hublots et les 2,3 m de hauteur sous plafond, on n'a pas l'impression d'être enfermé dans une cale», explique le porteur du projet, Sébastien Marques. Les installations «haut de gamme» pourront ainsi accueillir tous les sportifs, jusqu'au haut niveau. Des discussions sont d'ailleurs en cours avec des clubs de région parisienne.

Un effort a également été fait en faveur de l'accessibilité aux handicapés ou aux personnes âgées. Et pour les simples particuliers qui souhaiteraient accéder aux machines, il sera possible de payer l'accès à l'unité en plus du classique abonnement. En miroir à son nom, l'Arche est censée embarquer un public large et divers. «L'idée est de ne pas être un club fermé mais un lieu ouvert aux rencontres, avec des installations pour tout le monde», assure Sébastien Marques.

A cela, s'ajoutera un «pôle festif», avec un restaurant d'une centaine de couverts ainsi qu'une guinguette. De quoi recevoir environ 2.000 personnes à bord. Concernant les tarifs, si le porteur de projet ne donne pas encore de prix, ils seront «le plus possible accessibles dans la limite de la rentabilité», affirme celui qui est directeur développement chez Why Not Productions. Une société qui exploite aussi les deux guinguettes Rosa Bonheur, l'une aux Buttes-Chaumont (19e) et l'autre... sur un bateau stationné en contrebas du Quai d'Orsay (7e).

 

UNE OUVERTURE PRÉVUE À L'ÉTÉ, POUR L'INSTANT

Mais comme pour d'innombrables projets, le coronavirus ajoute son grain de sable. «Les ouvriers continuent à travailler à peu près normalement, dans le respect des protocoles sanitaires. Mais l'approvisionnement est énormément allongé, beaucoup de matières premières venant d'Allemagne ou d'Italie», déplore Sébastien Marques. Résultat : l'incertitude plane sur l'ouverture, qui est encore prévue pour «cet été».

D'autant qu'un aléa surprenant avait déjà forcé les promoteurs à revoir leur plan. Ce prototype, construit sur mesure aux chantiers navals de Dieppe (Seine-Maritime), a en effet dû remonter la Seine encore à l'état de flotteur. L'embarcation a dû franchir en urgence l'une des seules écluses permettant le passage d'un navire d'un tel gabarit, à Méricourt (Yvelines), avant qu'elle ne ferme pour plusieurs années de travaux. Ce qui explique l'aspect encore dépouillé de l'embarcation.

Plutôt que dans le chantier naval, l'Arche est donc assemblée à Paris, avec des pièces fabriquées en atelier et acheminées par le fleuve. Ce sont ainsi «des tronçons de 20 m de la superstructure et de façades qui sont montés directement» sur le bateau, commente le porteur du projet, Sébastien Marques. Un défi technique supplémentaire.

Puis, dans un second temps, le projet s'étendra aussi sur les quais, au pied du parc André Citroën. Sur environ 1.000 m2, d'autres stands de restauration occuperont la moitié de l'espace, tandis que des agrès de sport en plein air, des aires de jeu pour enfants et des salles de squash complèteront le lieu. D'ailleurs, la guinguette La Javelle, ouverte depuis 2019 sur place, sera intégrée au projet. Il faudra néanmoins sans doute attendre 2022 pour profiter de ces installations estivales.

«Le parc André Citroën a été imaginé pour arriver jusqu'aux berges, il fallait donc finir cette prolongation», commente Célia Blauel, l'adjointe à la Seine à la mairie de Paris. Plus largement, ce projet «fait partie de notre volonté de réinvestir le fleuve et ses rives droite et gauche», se réjouit l'élue écologiste. Pour elle, cet exemple pourrait montrer «qu'il n'y a finalement pas besoin de grand chose pour que les Parisiens se réapproprient la Seine».

Cette deuxième piscine flottante de la capitale, après celle de Joséphine Baker (13e), pourrait rester en place pendant deux décennies, durée de la concession accordée par la ville. En espérant que d'ici là, on n'aura plus besoin de ce type d'installation pour se baigner dans la Seine.

NEW DATES FOR THE WORLD MASTERS GAMES KANSAI: 13 - 29 MAY 2022

 

The Organising Committee of the WMG2021 Kansai proposed new dates to the IMGA. The World Masters Games 2021 Kansai would be held from Friday, 13th to Sunday to 29th May, 2022.

We are delighted to announce that the dates have been approved and the Games dates have been finalized. We sincerely apologize for any concerns caused while dates were being discussed.

Following the decision, the IMGA CEO Jens Holm said: ”It has been difficult to re-allocate an event of this size but with the effort and great partnership of the Kansai 2021 Organising committee and support of all other stakeholders involved we have been able to schedule the World Masters Games 2021 exactly one year later in May 2022, when Japan is at its most beautiful. We are looking forward to the moment when all Masters athletes will be able to gather again to compete in their favourite sport and celebrate companionship and togetherness.”

We will secure the spot for those who already made an entry. In addition, since the process of renewing the Sports Information guide which determine competition dates and venues also to maintenance/adjust systems etc. may take time, we will announce promptly on the Games website, etc. as soon as the date for new entry have been decided.
We will continue to prepare thoroughly. Thank you for all your support and understanding.

The Kansai 2021 Organising Committee

Join the Octogenarian English Channel Relay Team 14 – 18 September 2021

Will you be 80+ years old by that date? Want to set the record for the oldest relay to swim the Channel? Join us for this epic challenge! Otto Thaning (South Africa), Roger Allsop (UK), George Thornton (USA), Carol Sing (USA), and John Thorpe (UK) invite you to complete our team of 6 swimmers to make the crossing. We have Eddie Spelling captain of Anastasia reserved. Each person may swim 3 one-hour legs. Best estimate is the water temperature will be 64/65°F (17°C) at the beginning of September. To register for the swim each person is required to complete the following qualifier in water 60F or less: 1½ hour swim, 1 hour out of water, then 1 hour swim. For more information contact George (louiset36@comcast.net) or Otto (otto@iafrica.com).

http://francisswim.blogspot.com/2015/08/dr-otto-thanings-english-channel.html?fbclid=IwAR2_ru_s49AEVSvn-sh6mbWRx4Nh4WHZA_qiELHxnZ_F-1kDrlrp8uR3a0g

World Triathlon Cup Huatulco moved to June 2021

 

World Triathlon and the organising committee of the 2021 World Triathlon Cup Huatulco, after consultation with the Mexican Triathlon Federation, have agreed to move the event to June 12-13, 2021.

The event in the mexican resort of Huatulco was cancelled in 2020 due to the pandemic, but the organising committee, as well as the Mexican Federation, have been working tirelessly to put the race back on the calendar in 2021.

Initially scheduled for April, considering the current situation of the travel restrictions on many territories, the local authorities and the Mexican Federation have decided to postpone the event until June.

 

ABOUT WORLD TRIATHLON

World Triathlon is the international governing body for the Olympic sport of triathlon and all related multisport disciplines around the world, including duathlon, aquathlon, cross triathlon and winter triathlon. Triathlon made its Olympic debut in Sydney 2000, with a third medal event, the Mixed Team Relay, added to the programme at Tokyo 2020, while paratriathlon was first added to the Paralympic programme at Rio 2016. World Triathlon is proudly committed to the development of the sport worldwide, with inclusion, equality, sustainability and transparency at our core as we seek to help triathletes at all levels of the sport to be extraordinary.

Women’s Water Polo - Hungary and Netherlands book their ticket to Tokyo

With the Tokyo Olympics just six months away, the remaining Olympic women’s water polo tournament berths were secured last Saturday (January 23) in Trieste (ITA) in the semi-finals as Hungary and 2008 Olympic champion the Netherlands defeated respectively 2016 Olympic silver medallists Italy and Greece.

The Hungarian women tumbled the Qualification Tournament host from their Olympic dream with a final score of 13-10 (3-1, 2-2, 4-4, 4-3), while the Dutch prevented the Hellenic squad to return to the Olympics after missing Rio in 2016 with a 7-4 victory (1-2, 2-2, 2-0, 2-0).

Hungary’s Head Coach Attila Biro admitted the difficulty of the match: “It was a really tough game for both teams. Our goalie was a little bit better than the Italian’s and I think we had huge mental power.”

“I knew that we couldn’t win by four-five-six goals obviously, that’s why we were winning by one or two goals. We tried to push in defence mostly. But, hopefully on attack we were much, much better than two days ago (5-8 loss to Greece).”

“Staying calm until the end of the game and take a high rhythm and push hard in defence was the key to win.”

For Hungary, it was the goal-scoring queen, Rita Keszthelyi, who once again reigned supreme with six goals, lifting her Trieste tally to an incredible 26.

The finals that were held on Sunday January 24 did not count for the Olympic Qualification.

The 10-team line-up for the Women's Water Polo tournament at Tokyo 2020 is now complete:

Japan (host)

USA (2019 FINA World League winners, defending Olympic champions)

Spain (2019 FINA World Championships silver medallists)

Canada (2019 Pan American Games silver medallists)

Australia (Oceania continental selection)

South Africa (Africa continental selection)

Russia (2020 European Championship silver medallists)

China (2018 Asian Games winners)

The Netherlands (Olympic Qualification Tournament)

Hungary (Olympic Qualification Tournament)

The USA, led by captain Maggie Steffens, is certainly ramping up the preparation for what could be their third consecutive Olympic title, after claiming victory in London 2012 and Rio 2016. In addition, the North American team has bagged most of the international titles of the highest competitions including the last three World Championships (Kazan 2015, Budapest 2017, Gwangju 2019) and the last three World Cups (2010, 2014 and 2018).

Hungary has missed the podium (4th place) at the last three Olympic Games, while the Netherlands is qualified for the first time since 2008 when they clinched the Olympic honours in Beijing (CHN).

Simone van de Kraats (NED) expressed her team’s joy: “We're so happy that we are finally at the Olympics. It’s amazing, this feeling."

The Trieste competition’s outcome came as truly encouraging in the lead-up to the Games after being held in a successful and safe "bubble". Players and coaches were strictly traveling from the hotel to the swimming pool and all matches were played behind closed doors, with no spectators.

Greece's Christina Tsoukala commented the much-awaited return to competition: "Returning? It's hard! But we all wanted to start again after almost a year without an international match, so it's good, we're happy."

The FINA Men’s Water Polo Olympic Games Qualification Tournament will take place in Rotterdam (NED) from February 14-21, 2021.

Swim Ireland Revise Olympic Nomination Policy for Tokyo Games

Swim Ireland starts 2021 excited about the upcoming 2020 Olympic Games, now scheduled for 23rd July to 8th August, and after a year of COVID-19 related upheaval, we have updated our Olympic Nomination Policy to give additional opportunity to athletes to meet the qualification standards. The changes to the policy provide for swimmers who have already achieved an Olympic Qualification Time to be pre-selected and for those that do not meet the qualification time at the Irish Olympic Trials in April (20th – 24th) to qualify at a nominated meet in June.

Both the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and FINA (the world governing body for swimming) require athletes to achieve an Olympic Qualification Time (FINA ‘A’ time) within a designated period from March 2019 and from pre-named ratified competitions for them to be assured of an entry into the respective individual event at the Games.

Darragh Greene and Shane Ryan can now both be considered for the Games as the two Irish swimmers to post performances under the FINA ‘A’ time in their respective events in the designated period thus far. Greene achieved times in the 100m Breaststroke at the FINA World Championships in 2019 and 200m Breaststroke at the Irish Open Championships in 2019, whilst Rio 2016 Olympian Ryan also attained a time at the 2019 Open in the 100m Backstroke.

The COVID pandemic has clearly affected all sections of society and despite the support and understanding Swim Ireland have received from Sport Ireland and Sport Northern Ireland during these times, we continue to face some significant challenges in the preparation of our athletes. Revisions to swimming training environments, the ongoing challenge facing domestic and international competition between now and the Games as well as athlete/staff welfare and wellbeing are very much at the heart of the changes, felt to be both appropriate and necessary.

National Performance Director Jon Rudd said, “This revised Policy is a COVID-specific move away from that which has become our regular and recognised selection process for a summer senior international benchmark meet because of these exceptional times and aims to provide athletes with the fairest possible opportunity to be nominated to the OFI for the Tokyo Olympic Games. We spent a great deal of time looking at that which we truly believe in for international success (individual event selection via a sole Trials) to that which has become necessary because of the unprecedented circumstances that we have faced over the last 10 months – circumstances that are still with us and will remain so for some months to come. We believe that the breadth and balance that the four stage Nomination Process gives us satisfies our performance need, whilst being underpinned by a process which is ethically sound in terms of athlete opportunity.”

National Senior Team Head Coach Ben Higson said, “With the uncertainty that has surrounded and continues to surround us regarding COVID-19, it has been it has been imperative that we respond and not react to the situation we find ourselves in. The new four stage approach provides fairness in opportunity and will hopefully ensure as many of our athletes as possible can be on the plane to Tokyo. Athletes and coaches have worked tirelessly throughout the past four years and deserve to have the best possible opportunity to qualify.’

The next opportunity for athletes to qualify for the Games will be the Irish Open Championships (Olympic and Paralympic Trials).

WOMEN'S WATER POLO OLYMPIC GAMES QUALIFICATION TOURNAMENT 2020 Hungary and Netherlands qualify for Tokyo 2020

Hungary and the Netherlands join the eight other teams* that have already qualified for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, after winning the semi-final matches of the FINA Women's Water Polo Olympic Games Qualification Tournament (from January 19-24, 2021), respectively against Italy and Greece.

In Trieste (ITA), the home team could not overcome an inspired Magyar squad, who had in Rita Keszthelyi the best scorer (six goals) of the decisive game on January 23. The visitors won 13-10 (3-1, 2-2, 4-4, 4-3), sealing their qualification for the Games.

Also on Saturday, Greece got a 4-3 advantage at half of the semi-final against the Netherlands, but after remaining scoreless for the subsequent two periods, the Hellenic side couldn’t avoid the defeat by 4-7.

In the finals on Sunday (with no implication for the Olympic qualification), Hungary won its battle against the Netherlands 13-11 by dominating the first and third quarters (4-3, 2-2, 5-3, 2-3). In the bronze medal match, Greece crushed Italy 10-4 with a strong start in the first quarter (4-1, 0-1, 4-1, 2-1).

For the fifth spot, France imposed itself against Kazakhstan for a final score of 12-10 (3-1, 3-3, 3-4, 3-2), and Israel defeated Slovakia 13-10 (2-1, 1-4, 5-3, 5-2) for places 7-8.

*The eight teams that had already secured an Olympic berth are: USA, Canada, host Japan, China, Australia, South Africa, Spain and Russia.

 

The final ranking in Trieste was as follows:

1. Hungary (gold),

2. Netherlands (silver),

3. Greece (bronze),

4. Italy,

5. France,

6. Kazakhstan,

7. Israel,

8. Slovakia

 

All matches are available on replay on FINAtv, while day-by-day news reports can be read on FINA website and photos / videos can be found on FINA social media channels.

Given the COVID-19 pandemic situation, the tournament in Trieste was successfully held under strict sanitary measures, implemented by FINA in co-operation with the Organising Committee.

The FINA Men’s Water Polo Olympic Games Qualification Tournament will take place in Rotterdam (NED) from February 14-21, 2021.

 

Fédération Internationale de Natation (FINA)

What to know about the 2020 Women's Water Polo Olympic Qualification Tournament

After being postponed twice, the event will be the final chance to book a ticket to the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020.

The time has come to find out the final two nations who will book their ticket to Tokyo 2020 with the 2020 Women's Water Polo Olympic Qualifier Tournament set to take place between 19-24 January in Trieste, Italy.

After originally being scheduled to take place in March 2020, the outbreak of COVID-19 in Italy saw the last of the women's water polo Olympic qualifiers postponed to mid-May. But organisers made the decision to postpone the tournament once again to January 2021.

The eight teams set to compete have been put into two groups but all will advance to the quarterfinals with only the two top teams (the finalists) earning Olympic qualification.

The top two nations will join USA, Spain, Russian Federation, Australia, Canada, South Africa, People's Republic of China, and Japan who have already qualified for the Olympic Games.

The group stage will be played from 19-21 January before the knockout stage commences on 22 January.

 

Eight nations, two spots

Ten teams had been invited to the tournament after qualifying through respective events in the lead up to the Tokyo 2020 Games.

However, two teams – Uzbekistan (wildcard) and New Zealand (Oceanian Continental Selection) – decided to withdraw leaving just eight teams – Italy (hosts), Hungary, Netherlands, Greece, France, Slovakia, Israel (2020 European Championships) and Kazakhstan (2018 Asian Games).

New Zealand Water Polo decided to withdraw in October 2020 citing in a statement: "The welfare, health and safety and wellbeing of our athletes is the primary concern."

"The Board takes this responsibility very seriously with the athlete at the centre of our thinking and decision making process.

Uzbekistan had been drawn into Group A with New Zealand in Group B.

Group A: Italy, Netherlands, France, Slovakia

Group B: Hungary, Greece, Israel, Kazakhstan

Competition is set to be fierce with Rio 2016 silver medallist Italy looking to return to the Olympic stage while 2020 European Championship bronze medallist Hungary will be wanting to continue their powerhouse status having made the semi-finals at the Games for the last three editions.

Meanwhile the Netherlands - Beijing 2008 champions, Greece and Kazakhstan hope to return to the greatest sporting after failing to qualifying for the past couple of Olympics.

There is also a chance that a nation could make their Olympic debut with France, Slovakia and Israel looking to make Olympic berths at Tokyo 2020.

 

 

Life in the bubble

In a new COVID normal, the world of sport has seen bubble life become common place in order to resume competition.

For Hungary's women's water polo team it is nothing new after spending time in the European summer at a three-week training camp

"We lived completely in a bubble, driving only between the swimming pool and the hotel. I remember everyone was afraid of this period, of confinement, but then everything went great, we spent everyday in a good mood, we forged into a real community," national team member Dorottya Szilágyi told ORIGO.hu in January.

"So I'm not afraid of the Trieste days either."

The team have spent their time since the start of January living in a bubble as they prepare for the Olympic qualifier.

It's been almost a year since Hungary clinched bronze at the European Championships after beating the Netherlands 8-10 in the third-place match. However, preparation for the upcoming tournament has been unlike anything experienced before.

"We haven’t taken part in a tournament like this yet, we didn’t do a number of things like we use to before other world tournaments, we didn’t play a preparation match either, but the other teams are just like that, so I’m not in despair," Head coach Attila Bíró told Nemzeti Sport Online.

"We look good, success will not depend on our general condition, the decisive factor will be whether our hearts are in place at the crucial moments of the day."

 

The Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 Water Polo competition is set to take place at Tatsumi Water Polo Centre between 24 July- 8 August with the women's gold medal match held on 7 August.

Swim Ireland and RNLI Team Up for Virtual Open Water Series

Swim Ireland has teamed up with the RNLI to offer a series of Open Water information and safety webinars, responding to the huge increase in new winter open water swimmers.

After a successful pilot in December, RNLI Water Safety Lead Kevin Rahill will host Weather and Waves later this month, and Tides and Currents next month, with both webinars open to all and all proceeds going to support the RNLI’s Volunteer Lifeboat Crews.

This is the first of many initiatives set to be rolled out this year as the partnership between Swim Ireland and the RNLI grows.

The RNLI’s Kevin Rahill said: “With more people getting involved in open water swimming, we are delighted to work in partnership with Swim Ireland to help those taking part, whether new or experienced swimmers, to continue to enjoy the sport safely. We are happy to share our knowledge and experience through these webinars to help everyone make informed decisions about where and when to swim and what steps one can take to ensure a fun and safe experience.”

Grainne Murphy, Get Ireland Swimming National Co-Ordinator commented: “We have seen first-hand the unprecedented increase in people dipping into open waters across the island of Ireland this year. In the summer we were able to support more than 700 of them by providing coached sessions and lessons as part of our Open Water Programmes. It is even more important to support these newcomers in the cold winter, which is why we have partnered with the RNLI to provide an ongoing series of educational webinars, that deliver key safety messages, and provide a platform for all to speak directly to experts in open water swimming and in open water safety. These sessions aim to build participants’ confidence and a strong awareness of the importance of taking safety precautions when in or around open water.”

Running alongside the joint RNLI and Swim Ireland Open Water webinars will be a series of 30-minute ‘Lunch Break Chats’, providing education on Ice Swimming, Swim Route Planning, and Channel Swimming.

Swim Ireland’s Instagram channel is also set to feature live chats, including with Irish ex-international marathon swimmer Chris Bryan, who will have a focus on improving swimmers’ knowledge of open water.

 

Available Webinars

Virtual Webinar: Weather and Waves with RNLI l 25/01/2021 l 7pm l €5 l Book HERE.

Virtual Webinar l Dee’s Experience with Dee Newell l 08/02/2021 l 7pm l €5 l Book HERE

Virtual Webinar: Tides and Currents with RNLI l 22/02/2021 l 7pm l €5 l Book HERE.

Virtual Webinar: Route Planning for Open Water Swimmers l 08/03/2021 l 7pm l €5 l Book HERE.

 

Images: Swim Ireland – Free to Use

CanoeEurope 's Board of Directors confirmed the 2021 competition calendar

 

ECA's Board of Directors held their first meeting in the year 2021 this Saturday. Among other subjects on the table, they confirmed the 2021 competition calendar. There were also some changes in the European Championships programmes of Olympic disciplines.

One of the main items ECA's Board of Directors discussed during their online meeting was the upcoming season 2021. As the pandemic doesn't seem to slow down at the moment, they have decided the deadlines will be set to finally confirm or cancel the ECA championships scheduled for 2021 depending on the health situation and safety in respective countries, like it was the case already last year. The deadlines will be set for European Championships, while the decision on organisation of the ECA Cups will be at organiser's discretion.

Similarly, Board of Directors decided to give the final information on the 2021 ECA Congress in February. The Congress was supposed to be organised in March, but considering the current situation, the realisation of the congress in two months is highly unlikely, so it is expected the Congress in Bratislava will be delayed.

Board of Directors also discussed new competition programmes in Olympic disciplines, following the changes to the Olympic Programme. As Extreme Canoe Slalom will be a part of the 2024 Olympic Games, the discipline has now been added also to the programme of the European Championships and will already be a part of the 2021 Canoe Slalom European Championships in Ivrea and Solkan (Senior, Junior/U23). However, there will be minor changes in competition rules, such as advancement from time trials to the main phase as well as in setting of the course (eg. difference in number of the gates). In Canoe Sprint the men's C4 events will be scratched from the programme already this season.

ECA has been organising Talent Identification Programmes for young European canoe slalom paddlers for many years now in Skopje, North Macedonia. This year the training camp for young athletes will not be held in Spring as usual, but in August a week before the 2021 Junior and U23 Canoe Slalom European Championships in Solkan, Slovenia. Board of Directors unanimously supported the proposal to introduce the Talent Identification Programme also for young canoe sprint athletes, but will put the proposal to the open discussion at the next ECA congress to hear the feedback from National Federations.

In the years 2022 and 2023 canoeing will be a part of two major international sporting events. In the 2022 Multisport European Championships in Munich will include Canoe Sprint for the first time and the good news comes for paracanoe athletes as paracanoeing has now also been confirmed as part of the programme. In 2023 Krakow will host the European Games and canoeing was one of the first confirmed sports. This time it is Canoe Slalom that is confirmed, because Krakow already has a venue and with only a year before Paris Olympic Games there is a chance Extreme Canoe Slalom will also be included in the programme. At the moment Krakow does not have a regatta course, but there is a strong wish on organiser's side to build one in a length of 500 metres, so there is still hope Canoe Sprint will also be included in the third European Games. The next online Board of Directors meeting will take place on February 6th.

Detailed competition programme for the season 2021 is available below.

https://www.canoe-europe.org/news/eca-s-board-of-directors-confirmed-the-2021-competition-calendar-1903

www.canoe-europe.org

Facebook: @CanoeEurope / Instagram: @canoe.europe / Twitter: @CanoeEurope / Youtube: @CanoeEurope

#canoeeurope

Last two Women's Water Polo Olympic spots to be vied for in Trieste

WOMEN'S WATER POLO OLYMPIC GAMES QUALIFICATION TOURNAMENT 2020

Trieste, in Italy, is set to stage the first Aquatics Qualifying event for the postponed Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. The FINA Women’s Water Polo Olympic Games Qualification Tournament will take place over a six-day tournament in the North Italian city from January 19-24 during which eight international teams will vie for the remaining two Olympic spots.

The groups' composition for the tournament is as follows:

GROUP A:  A1 Netherlands, A2 France, A3 Italy, A4 Slovakia

GROUP B:  B1 Greece, B2 Hungary, B3 Israel, B4 Kazakhstan

 

The two teams from the above groups qualifying for the Olympic Games will join the eight squads which have already secured their spot for Tokyo: USA, Spain, Canada, Australia, Russia, South Africa, China and Japan.

The schedule in Trieste unfolds as follows:

DAY 1 - January 19

GAME #1 - 14:00 HUN v ISR

GAME #3 - 16:00 GRE v KAZ

GAME #2 - 18:00 FRA v ITA

GAME #4 - 20:00 NED v SVK

 

DAY 2 - January 20

GAME #6 - 14:00 HUN v KAZ

GAME #8 - 16:00 GRE v ISR

GAME #5 - 18:00 NED v ITA

GAME #7 - 20:00 FRA v SVK

 

DAY 3 - January 21

GAME #9 - 14:00 HUN v GRE

GAME #10 - 16:00 FRA v NED

GAME #12 - 18:00 ITA v SVK

GAME #11 - 20:00 ISR v KAZ

 

DAY 4 - January 22

GAME #13 - 14:00 2A v 3B

GAME #14 - 16:00 3A v 2B

GAME #15 - 18:00 1A v 4B

GAME #16 - 20:00 4A v 1B

 

DAY 5 - January 23

GAME #17 - 14:00 LG13 v LG16

GAME #18 - 16:00 LG14 v LG15

GAME #19 - 18:00 WG13 v WG16

GAME #20 - 20:00 WG14 v WG15

 

DAY 6 - January 24

GAME #21 - 14:00 LG17 v LG18

GAME #22 - 16:00 WG17 v WG18

GAME #23 - 18:00 LG19 v LG20

GAME #24 - 20:00 WG19 v WG20

 

The postponement of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic meant that the qualification process was extended until June 29, 2021. Therefore this event of upmost importance has also a special meaning, after an unprecedented year. It embodies the return of Sport and represents hope for all the athletes preparing for the Games.

The tournament in Trieste will be held under strict sanitary measures, implemented and monitored by FINA, so that the health and safety of all participants can be ensured.

All matches will be broadcast live on FINAtv and will also be available on replay, while the live scores will be displayed here. Daily news reports will be published on FINA website and photos / videos can be found on FINA social media channels.

The FINA Men’s Water Polo Olympic Games Qualification Tournament will take place in Rotterdam (NED) from February 14-21, 2021.

 Fédération Internationale de Natation (FINA)

World-class speakers of the sports industry at the Front Runners 3.0

 

The three-day web conference’s agenda on January 21-23

Athens, January 20, 2021

The unique sports management conference in Greece is approaching. Leading industry professionals from both Greece and abroad “meet” at “Front Runners in Sports Management 3.0”, a web conference organized by the award-winning ActiveMedia Group along with the Sports Management Society of Deree – The American College of Greece, on Thursday, January 21, Friday, January 22 and Saturday, January 23, 2021.

 

Representatives from all over the world in rich thematic sections

Within three days, participants will have the opportunity to attend for free the speeches of distinguished representatives from the fields of football, basketball, athletics, motor sports, sports tourism, education, digital & social media, technology and corporate social responsibility, and develop their professional network in the field of sports management.

 

New additions to the roster of speakers

During the Front Runners in Sports Management 3.0 conference the Chief Sales & Marketing Officer of Sani / Ikos Group, Mr. Antonis Avdelas, will present, for the first time in Greece, the unique tennis academy Rafa Nadal Tennis Centre, developed by the Grand Slam-winning tennis legend, hosted at Sani Resort. Sani Resort, which was awarded by the World Travel Awards as “The World's Leading Family & Beach Resort” in 2019 and 2020, is na ecological sanctuary of 4,500 acres in Kassandra, Halkidiki, with 5 hotels and a luxurious private marina.

Moreover, the conference will include the following speakers: the CSR & Events Manager of the leading GameTech company in Greece and one of the fastest growing GameTech companies in Europe Kaizen Gaming, Ms. Ioanna Kozadinou, the General Manager of the Athens Marathon The Authentic, Dr. Makis Asimakopoulos, who will talk about the No.1 sports tourism event in Greece and the new era after the 2020 postponement, one of the top commercial directors in the Greek Super League, Mr. Leonidas Papavasilakis of OFI FC, the Real Madrid and EuroLeague legend and the F45 Madrid co-founder, Joe Arlauckas, the world champion in the 400m. with hurdles, with 4 participations in Olympic Games & Chair of the European Athletics Athletes Commission, Periklis Iakovakis, the long-term member of the U.S.A. Olympic Committee, Karen Irish, along with the former basketball player, sports journalist and dynamic reporter for EuroLeague, Theodora Panteli, the Head of Digital & 360 Advertising Director of one of the best digital agencies in Greece for social media, The Newtons Laboratory, Mr. Panos Alefragis and Mr. Themistocles Karvountzis, Chief Strategy Officer of ActiveMedia Group, with the back to back title as Sports Marketing Agency of the Year in Greece, who will make an introduction to Sports Tourism and its niche markets.

 

Experienced executives of the global market offer their knowledge

Prominent speakers at the conference also include representatives from the NBA and the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, the FIBA Basketball Champions League, Georgetown University, the innovative technology company Wait Time, Nielsen Sports and Formula 1.

The conference will also host welcome speeches from the Minister of Greek Tourism, Mr. Harry Theoharis, the Deputy Minister of Culture & Sports, Mr. Lefteris Avgenakis, the USA Ambassador to Greece, Mr. Geoffrey R. Pyatt, the President of the Greek National Tourism Organization, Ms. Angela Gerekou, the President of the International Olympic Academy, Mr. Isidoros Kouvelos as well as the Assistant Professor & Coordinator of the Sports Management Program at Deree – The American College of Greece, Dr. Stella Leivadi.

In the context of the web conference’s organization, ActiveMedia Group’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Akis Tsolis stated: “Front Runners in Sports Management 2021 edition is switching to digital. In this fragile time, the 3 rd edition of the conference in January 2021 is going to be a fully online experience, changing to a three-day conference format with an even bolder programme and speakers from all over the world. The Greek philosopher Socrates said Education, just like fertile land, brings all good things. In the exact same way, we want ActiveMedia Group to start in 2021, by offering education opportunities”.

 

You may find the conference’s agenda here: https://bit.ly/3o3daet

 

You may find the speakers’ bios here: https://bit.ly/2LDBDKn

 

MOTODYNAMICS SA, official importer of Porsche AG in Greece, supports the conference as a Gold Sponsor, promoting the Greek and international sports industry and education with the participation of distinguished speakers from around the world. Participants in the conference will have the opportunity - if they express their interest - to find out more about the first, all-electric Porsche Taycan.

The “Front Runners in Sports Management 3.0” web conference will continue innovating through the support of its Official Technology Partner, Samsung Electronics Hellas. LiveOn is the conference’s Digital Platform Partner (member of ethosGROUP), the innovative, fully featured, Digital Platform that meets seamlessly the highly demanding needs for business communication across a wide variety of market sectors, livening on and enabling the entire marketing industry (events, exhibitions, meetings, presentations, general assemblies, IR & PR activities etc).

The “Front Runners in Sports Management 3.0” web conference will attract the interest of the following sectors: AI, Education, Events, Basketball, Football, Motorsports, Athletics, Digital & Social Media, Sport for Development, Sports Tourism, Sports Marketing & Management, Corporate Social Responsibility.

To secure your participation in the conference, you may log in and register here . Priority will be given to up to 500 available seats.

 

Free Participation & Access to Education

The conference is free to attend, as its purpose is to educate students and executives of the sports industry about the present and future of Sports Management in the post Covid-19 era. The web conference aims to trigger a dynamic start for and to properly prepare this very significant market, in order to build a stronger and healthier community. ultimately, supporting the continuing education and training of the younger generation is extremely necessary and essential in our days, now more than ever before, and is part of the organizers’ sustainable development and social responsibility.

The conference is produced by the experienced team of Active Media Group and the leading private educational institution in the country, Deree – The American College of Greece.

#FrontRunners2021