BUDAPEST (Hungary) – Looking to provide an innovative new digital experience, all athletes setting individual world records at the 19th FINA World Championships Budapest 2022 will be awarded a personalised Non-Fungible Token (NFT) in addition to the USD 50,000 prize money bonus.

Collaborating with Budapest-based digital artist Krizbo, FINA will award athletes with a personalised NFT capturing their record-breaking moment at the 19th FINA World Championships. For each new individual World Record, Krizbo will create a digital illustration to transform individual world record moments into unique digital trophies for the athlete. The digital art will be minted as an NFT and then transferred to the athlete on a special ledger.

“Breaking a world record is a very special moment in any athlete’s career,” said FINA President Husain Al-Musallam. “We are very excited to use state-of-the-art digital technology to create a portable and permanent way of capturing athlete achievements in the pool during the 19th FINA World Championships in a way that is fully in line with the FINA Reform Committee’s recommendations on digital transformation. We are delighted to be one of the first International Federations to pioneer this concept.”

The project with Krizbo is part of FINA’s continued efforts to drive innovation, connect and engage with the next generation of young aquatics fans around the world. Moreover, this project fully aligns with FINA’s strategy to establish ongoing digital collaborations with athletes, coaches, National Federations and Organising Committees.

All athletes who set new individual world records in Budapest will be invited to attend a special awards ceremony on 25 June at the Duna Arena where they will receive their NFT trophies.