Multiple reports indicate that FINA, in spite of no public announcement, has already decided to move the World Championships and World Junior Championships away from Kazan, Russia as a result of Russia’s invasion into Ukraine.
The information was first leaked by the Danish Swimming Federation in a report that included quotes from Pia Johansen – the head of the federation and a newly-elected member of the governing body of European aquatics LEN.
“Under no circumstances can we ask our athletes to compete in a country that has started a war,” says Johansen, president of the Danish Swimming Union.
While the Danish Federation has not responded to multiple emails requesting more information, Brazilian journalist Alex Pussieldi later confirmed the news, saying that FINA has not told federations where the new locations will be. He reports that the Brazilian federation (CBDA) has offered to host the World Junior Championships, and FINA acknowledged receipt of the offer.
FINA announced the intention to move events from Russia in water polo, artistic swimming (synchronized swimming), and diving earlier in the day on Friday, but stopped short of committing to move other events. Instead, the organization said that the World Championships are “under close review, with FINA monitoring events in Ukraine very carefully.”
FINA president Husain Al-Musallam took his first official visit after being elected into office last year to Kazan, Russia, and the organization has close ties to Russia as a frequent and willing host of FINA competitions over the last seven years.
Any more news following cancellation of Junior Worlds and World SC Champs? Will they move them?
This would be an outstanding decision.
This is unfair. Most of the Russians are against the war. FINA showing no spine here
I don’t follow your point. The government run organization is in charge of the meet, not the people
It would be unfair to Ukrainians to just ignore it.
Maybe ‘Most of the Russians’ should show their spine and stand up to Putin and against this invasion like the small cohort of protestors are doing (and being arrested for) in a number of Russian cities. The government represents the people and just like America got tarred with the Trump brush despite being a minority, Russia bears the Putin burden.
This is an easy statement to make when you live someplace where you enjoy freedom of speech and will not be imprisoned or shot for protesting (as is being done in Russia right now … there is, in fact, at least one account of one protester being shot outside the Kremlin today). In a “free” society, I would agree with your sentiment, but you have to remember that some countries are decidedly not free and acts of protest are dangerous and require extraordinary acts of bravery.
On a side note: I am pleased that FINA has apparently decided to remove the championships from Russia … now they should stand up to the drug-cheats as well!
Even if Kazan hosts I doubt many western countries will or should participate anyway
If they literally had just said that this morning instead of wavering, they could have avoided some much flak
Fina and isl competing for who is the biggest idiot.
Who would’ve thunk that swimming would have the most inept organizations of all sports?
I just hope they do find a new host for the already postponed junior world championships but I really couldn’t care less if the short course worlds goes ahead given there was one only two months ago.
Probably going to be Budapest again 🤣
They should just rebame Duna Arena to FINA Arena.
When will FINA start doing this to countries like America who also have human rights issues and political power grabs?
America and Russia have been fighting a proxy war in Ukraine since 2015 with America selling arms to Ukraine for years. It’s not a civil war. It’s rich Americans and their rich allies fighting rich Russians under the guise of NATO, EU, Neo-Nazis (which America SUPPORTS in this case).
Maybe you should stop trolling and read some books.
Go move to Kiev right now and see if your opinion changes ..
Then the only country any meets could be held in is like… Bhutan. And they won’t let anyone in. 🤷♀️
I am pretty sure under the definition of civil war, you are incorrect
While I’ll give FINA credit for looking like they’ll make the correct choice, I can’t help but feel like the decision to move away from Russia has more to do with the expected financial isolation of Russia making it impossible for FINA officials to benefit from an event held in Russia and less to do with not giving legitimacy to a warmongering regime.