SINGAPORE // Argentina has pulled out of the running to host the 2021 and 2023 world aquatics championships, leaving just four countries as confirmed bidders for the sport’s showcase event.
World governing body Fina will vote to decide the two host nations at a meeting in Dubai on November 8 following an abbreviated campaign to find a new host for 2021.
China, Japan, Turkey and Qatar are in the running while the UAE hope to join the race if government backing, one of the conditions for all potential hosts, can be secured before the October 20 deadline.
Budapest was originally awarded the 2021 world championships, but a slot opened up when the Mexican city of Guadalajara withdrew as the 2017 host, citing financial problems caused by falling oil prices.
Hungary agreed to step in at short notice and host the biennial event in 2017, but a new site for 2021 was needed, with Gwangju, South Korea, already confirmed for 2019.
Fina announced in June that it had received expressions of interest from as many as seven countries, including Australia and Germany, who have since ruled out bidding. The list continues to dwindle with Argentina also opting out.
“Argentina is not bidding now,” Fina executive director Cornel Marculescu said. “There is still a lot of interest. We have some excellent candidates and swimming is in a very strong position.”
Ayman Saad, a spokesman for UAE Swimming, said the UAE federation would present its proposals to the Dubai and Abu Dhabi sport councils before deciding whether to enter the running.
“If a big competition takes place here, we have a good chance to improve all areas of (UAE) aquatics, not just swimming,” Saad said.
The enormous costs of staging international sports events has become a hot topic in recent year, particularly after oil and gas-rich Qatar was awarded the 2022 Fifa World Cup.
There has been a reduction in countries from Europe and North America bidding to stage major events, resulting in a shift to Asia.
Gulf states have become a regular site for major events, including swimming. Dubai (2010), Doha (2014) and Abu Dhabi (2020) have all been awarded short-course (25-metre pool) world championships.
None have hosted the long-course (50-metre pool) world championships, although Dubai was awarded the 2013 event before pulling out. The event took place in Barcelona instead.
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