During 157 days, since the corner-stone’s was laid down in May, the construction of the new swimming complex took amazing progress in Budapest – that was the evaluation of the FINA delegation led by Executive Director Cornel Marculescu. FINA representatives conducted their second site-visit in Hungary on October 20-21, 2015 to oversee the preparations for the 2017 FINA World Championships.
At first the FINA team visited the site of the new pool complex, the main venue of the event where they were welcomed by LOC Co-Chairman Tamas Gyarfas and Government Commissioner Balazs Furjes, responsible for the construction. Two of the 27m tall giant corner-towers already stand and the walls of the pools are already visible inside.
At a press conference held upon the visit, Mr. Marculescu said “We had many meetings with the people run this project and today I can tell you that we managed to agree on every little detail. FINA is really proud that Budapest will have such a fantastic legacy after the 17th FINA World Championships.”
LOC Co-Chairman and FINA Vice-President Tamas Gyarfas assured the FINA delegation that just as the construction works, the organising process is also well-controlled. “Based on the Kazan experience, Prime Minister Viktor Orban agreed to restructure the organising committee and include all ministers who oversee areas connected to the preparations for the championships. This ensures that we can meet all demands needed to stage a successful event.”
Government Commissioner Balazs Furjes offered some interesting facts on the constructions: first of all it’s created 5,000 jobs, the quantity of concrete to be used would fill 10 Olympic size pools and if all cables were connected after each other, they would reach Belgrade (capital of Serbia) from Budapest.
FINA Executive Director Cornel Marculescu and Government Commissioner Balazs Furjes revising the Aquatic complex plans
Meetings were also held to evaluate the preparations – these were held in the City Hall this time. Budapest Mayor Istvan Tarlos welcomed the FINA guests and announced that the city would offer everything to stage the best championships ever in the Hungarian capital.
The preferred site of the high-diving event – just opposite to the magnificent building of the Parliament – and the venue of the FINA Congresses were also chosen. Upon the conclusion of the discussions, Minister of National Development and the Chairman of LOC, Miklos Sesztak also met Mr. Marculescu in the company of Tamas Gyarfas.
The 17th FINA World Championships will be held on 15-30 July 2017, in Budapest the brand new complex and the historic pools of the Margaret Island will welcome the world’s best swimmers, water polo players and divers while the open water event will be held in the famous Lake Balaton.