Russia no longer to host FINA swimming show

Article posted by Coliseum, March 28^th, 2022

Image: FINA

Swimming’s global governing body FINA has called off the World Junior Swimming Championships that were set to take place in Kazan, Russia, in late August, in light of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The ‘Reuters’ stated that FINA said it had made the decision to cancel the biennial event after consulting athletes and stakeholders.

FINA is the international federation recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for administering international competitions in water sports. It is one of several international federations which administer a given sport or discipline for both the IOC and the international community.

The FINA World Junior Swimming Championships is a swimming championship event organized by FINA for girls aged 14-17 and boys aged 15-18. It is held biennially, and has been held since 2006.

The group added in a statement recently, “FINA will not be holding any future events in Russia if this grave crisis continues.”

The ‘Reuters’ further stated that the Switzerland-based FINA added that it would provide whatever practical support it could to members of the aquatics family impacted by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine which has met with swift condemnation from numerous sports governing bodies.

Recently, FINA called off a men’s water polo World League match in St. Petersburg (Russia) next month while an Artistic Swimming and Diving World Series event scheduled for April in Kazan was also canceled.

Australia’s national swimming federation said it welcomed FINA’s decision and that it would not send teams to any other swimming events scheduled in Russia, including the world short course championships in December.

The federation said in a statement, “Swimming Australia strongly condemns the actions of the Russian Government and is appalled by the developments in Ukraine.”

Swimming Australia chief Eugenie Buckley said the federation’s boycott was based on “Safety reasons first and foremost. We would also like to see FINA consider relocating these events to alternate locations so our swimmers have the opportunity to race in a safe environment.”

Russia’s assault is the biggest on a European State since World War II and threatens to upend the continent’s post-Cold War order. Russia calls its actions in Ukraine a “special operation”.

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