TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK

DOHA DOHA will host the short-course world swimming championships in December 2014, the sport’s governing body, FINA, announced on Wednesday.

It is the latest sporting event to be handed to Qatar, a long-term venue for top tennis, golf, MotoGP and cycling events and one which will also host the 2022 football World Cup and is pushing for the 2020 Olympic Games.

Speaking on the hosting right, the Secretary-General of Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) HE Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman al Thani said, “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.” ”Working with FINA and hosting the championships is a further sign of the QOC’s 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,” he added.

FINA President Dr Julio C Maglione said, “We are very pleased to have the 12th FINA World Swimming Championships (25m) in 2014 in the outstanding Aspire Sport Complex, and its Aquatic Centre, in Doha. 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.” “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,” said Khaleel al Jabir, president of the Qatar Swimming Association.

“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,” he concluded.

The next short-course world championships, raced in a 25-metre pool, will take place from December 12-16 later this year in Istanbul.