DOHA: Qatar Swimming Association (QSA) has outlined a series of activities in the lead up to the 2014 Swimming World Championships (25m) to be held in December. This was announced by Khalil Al Jabir, President of QSA, during a news conference attended by FINA Vice President Cornel Marculescu.
“We have planned many events. We will stage the FINA Congress which will be attended by the swimming family. There are more than 200 members of the FINA family,” Al Jabir said.
“Then we will see more than a 1000 swimmers competing at the Doha event,” Al Jabir added.
The Doha swimming event will be held from December 3 to 7.
The championship is expected to welcome more than 1400 athletes and 300 team officials from more than 170 nations. Marculescu said with an increased prize money most of the world beaters are expected to touchdown in Doha
“Every first six classified finishers in each category will get prize money. Overall there will be a million dollars in prize money,” Marculescu said. “We don’t expect any issues in the lead up to the Doha event,” Marculescu said.
“Because they (Doha organisers) are very much advanced. We can decide which are the hotels. We know where the teams will stay. We can provide the federations the necessary event,” he added. Al Kass is the official broadcaster of the event, Marculescu announced.
Marculescu was in Doha leading a large FINA delegation that concluded yesterday the second official site visit to Doha.
During the two-day visit, all matters related to the general organisation of the Doha 2014 World Swimming Championships were discussed. Discussions took place regarding the athletes’ hotels and various other facilities.
These included the competition venue, the Hamad Aquatic Center, which has hosted numerous championships such as swimming at the 2010 Arab Games, as well as the 2012 & 2013 FINA Arena Swimming World Cups.
There were numerous other topics addressed during the visit including the FINA Aquatics Convention, the Youth Programme, the Swimming World Championships’ (25m) Marketing programme, Media and Broadcasting, Medical Services, IT and Transport.
“As the organisers of this important World Swimming Championships, we will meet the FINA’s expectations,” said Local Organising Committee Deputy Executive Officer, Ali AI Jabir.
QSA President said: “We will ensure that the World Swimming Championships, Doha 2014, will not only promote the great sport of swimming, but showcase Doha and Qatar in the best possible way.”The Peninsula
