Shanghai (CHN), July 15, 2011 – The Cities/National Federations of Kazan (RUS) and Guadalajara (MEX) will be the next organisers of the FINA World Championships in 2015 and 2017, respectively.
The announcement was made today in Shanghai (CHN) shortly after the FINA Bureau’s vote on the three bidders: Kazan, Guadalajara and Hong Kong (HKG). Due to the quality and high-profile of all bids, FINA decided, for the first time in its history to award the organisation of two editions of its major event, the FINA World Championships, on the same occasion.
“All the bids must be congratulated for the hard work and professional involvement in this candidature. That is a guarantee that both editions of these Championships will be outstanding, held in excellent facilities and counting with the highest support of the respective national and local authorities”, considered FINA President Dr. Julio C. Maglione after this decision.
For Kazan, the President of Tatarstan Mr. Rustam Minnikhanov and the Mayor of Kazan Mr. Ilsur Metshin led the delegation also formed by former champions such as Vladimir Salnikov, President of Russian Swimming Federation, Alexander Popov, IOC Member and Chairman of the FINA Athletes Commission, and Maria Kisseleva, Olympic and World medallist in synchronised swimming.
The Mayor of Kazan Mr. Ilsur Metshin & FINA President Mr. Julio C. Maglione - credit: Giorgio Scala
For Guadalajara, the Mexican Minister of Sports Mr. Bernardo de la Garza was accompanied by Kiril Todorov, President of the Mexican Swimming Federation, representatives from the state of Jalisco, and some sport legends in the country, such as divers Paola Espinosa, 10m world champion in Rome 2009, and Fernando Platas, member of the FINA Athletes Commission.
Guadalajara Delegation with FINA Honorary Life President, FINA President & FINA Honorary Treasurer - credit: Giorgio Scala