Windsor (CAN) will host 2016 FINA World Swimming Championships (25m)

Istanbul (TUR), RENANG INDONESIA, December 11, 2012 – The FINA Bureau awarded today the organisation of the 13th FINA World Swimming Championships (25m) in 2016 to the city of Windsor (Ontario, Canada). For this event, bidding interest had also been received from the city of Hong Kong (Hong Kong, China), Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) and Ashgabat (Turkmenistan).

“I warmly congratulate the city of Windsor, the Aquatic Federation of Canada and Swimming Canada! I am sure we will have a great FINA World Swimming Championships (25m) in 2016”, declared FINA President Dr. Julio C. Maglione, when announcing the decision of the Bureau.

This news was enthusiastically received by the Mayor of Windsor, Eddie Francis, present in Istanbul to introduce its city bid. "We are aware of the FINA strength in the world of sports and this fantastic outcome will help transform our city and strengthen our passion for sport”, stated Mr. Francis. “When the world comes to Windsor for these championships, all the visitors will be positively surprised by the vitality of our city and region, the diversity of her communities and her generous hospitality. These characteristics were essential in our successfully bid and will serve us well as we get ready to host a great World Championships in 2016”, he concluded.

Also thrilled with this result was Pierre Lafontaine, CEO of Swimming Canada. “We like to bring the world to us, and this will be a privileged occasion to have the best among the best in Canada. This kind of events truly inspires the country and its youth – and this was our main goal behind this bid”, said Lafontaine. “The energy and dynamism of Mayor Francis in creating this dream for his community was essential in this positive result. In terms of the impact for swimming in Canada, it will be also amazing”, he concluded.

Before the 2016 edition in Windsor, the 12th FINA World Swimming Championships, in 2014, will take place in the city of Doha (QAT)