Barcelona to Replace Dubai As Host of 2013 FINA World Aquatic Championships

PUNTA DEL ESTE, Uruguay, September 29. LAST WEEKEND before the start of the FINA World Convention, the FINA Bureau voted to award the 2013 world aquatics championships to Barcelona, a few months after Dubai withdrew its intentions to host the meet.

Dubai is gearing up for the world swimming short course championships this December, and was originally awarded the 2013 event at last year's FINA Bureau meeting. But in March 2010, Dubai decided to not host the meet, saying the swimming federation wanted to put its money toward improving its swimming base within the country before hosting another major competition.

Barcelona is no stranger to hosting major competitions. It was the site of the 1992 Olympics and the 2003 world aquatics championships.

Below is the official FINA press release:

The FINA Bureau, at its meeting held at Punta del Este, Uruguay, at the occasion of the 1st FINA World Aquatics Convention, on September 27-29, 2010 considered the candidature of the city of Barcelona (ESP) and of the Royal Spanish Swimming Federation to the organisation of the 15th FINA World Championships 2013.

The FINA Bureau unanimously decided that Barcelona (ESP) will host these Championships in July 2013.

"We are very glad to have received the excellent candidature of Barcelona (ESP) for the 15th FINA World Championships in 2013. Still with vivid memories from the 1992 Olympic Games and the 2003 FINA World Championships in this exciting city, these Championships will be another milestone in our history and a great event for Barcelona. In a way, this is also tribute to former IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch and his love for Sport and Aquatic disciplines," considered the FINA President, Dr. Julio C. Maglione.

Before Barcelona 2013, the 14th edition of the FINA World Championships will take place in Shanghai (CHN), from July 16-31, 2011.

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