First World Aquatics ditched its old name (FINA) in December. Now, six months later, the global governing body is looking to find a new home.
World Aquatics president Husain Al-Musallam met with Hungarian government officials in Budapest on Friday and signed “a memorandum of understanding… committing to further cooperation around the potential relocation to Budapest.” Hungarian media reported that the agreement is pending a final approval by the World Aquatics’ congress.
World Aquatics has been based out of Lausanne, Switzerland, since 1986. It unveiled a new headquarters in 2018 to commemorate its 110th anniversary, adding offices to a 19th-century villa next to the Swiss supreme court. The organization was founded in London in 1908 and spent the first 78 years of its existence there. The International Olympic Committee has also been headquartered in Lausanne since 1915.
Hungary has a long history with aquatics as one of the eight founding members of the International Swimming Federation in 1908. Budapest has maintained its international presence more recently as the host of the 2017 and 2022 World Aquatics Championships. The city will once again host World Championships in 2027 as well as Short Course Worlds in 2024. Between the Duna Arena and Alfred Hajos National Swimming Stadium, Budapest has plenty of existing aquatics infrastructure. The nation also boasts big-name swimmers such as world record holder Kristof Milak.
“Hungary has repeatedly proven itself to be a wonderful host for our sport and for our athletes. World Aquatics remains sincerely grateful for this,” Al-Musallam said. “I am excited to work with our friends in Budapest to see what further possibilities there may be here for World Aquatics.”
Hungarian media noted that World Aquatics leaders want at least half of the staff at the new headquarters to be Hungarian.
“It will of course be a huge recognition for Hungary if the global headquarters of the international swimming federation moves here to Budapest,” Hungarian foreign minister Peter Szijjarto said.
I actually thought that this headline was a joke — but then I remembered it is FINA and the most ridiculous and corrupt decisions are frequently made
Captain corruption (Hussain) leading the way to a toilet full of crap again!
As far as Fina goes are you under the impression that it’s almost entire history has been scandalized by as you put it most ridiculous and corrupt decisions frequently made by them? Or are you referring only to leadership under Hussein, and perhaps his predecessor? Only saying this because As long as you’re not confusing a international sporting body with the controversies of the IOC, Then in relative relative terms, I personally would be hesitant to describe Fina being known for widespread and consistent -as you are alleging- until the last several decades.
Corrupt state? ✔️
Cozying up to authoritarian leaders? ✔️
Can maintain close ties to Russia without scrutiny from government officials? ✔️
While still maintaining all of the benefits of being in “the west”? ✔️
Pretty easy to see through this. While there’s a genuine strong relationship between FINA and the Hungarian government that has been built in recent years in large part for the right reasons, the simple fact of the matter is Switzerland hasn’t exactly been Switzerland in regards to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and FINA had very close ties to Russia that they’ve been so so eager to give up. I wonder what made Hungary the attractive destination?
As a Hungarian, I can tell you that Hungary’s “close ties to Russia” only exist on the surface in certain parts of government funded media in the form of propaganda that only serves domestic politics. The Hungarian government and its representatives in the European Parliament have voted in favour of every economic sanction against Russia during the war so far. I can’t argue with your first two points though lol.
I was trying to communicate strong speculation that Hungarian officials wouldn’t be scrutinizing FINAs behavior so closely. As for Hungary itself, I am well aware the Orban regime is actually quite reliant on the EU in reality in spite of their facade. My apologies though I don’t want to be spreading misinformation
That very well might be the case, although I am not sure it makes much of a difference. Hungarian officials would only be lenient so far as it benefits them, I imagine.
Could you specify what you are referring to as Fina’s behavior? And what moving to Hungary would do better for Fina by moving away from Switzerland? Is the insinuation that Switzerland is imposing or meddling in and infringing upon the sports governing bodies or at least Fina? Because that would have made international news no doubt. And Switzerland is notoriously hands off things like this and that is why so many banks and international supporting bodies bars are located in Switzerland.
So what were you exactly referring to the Hungary would favor them or treat them better? Because the assumption that I’m making is you’re comparing with where they are now in Switzerland?
I respect where you’re coming from as a Hungarian, however just because the diplomatic representatives that the European Parliament have as you’re claiming cuz I don’t know, but are apparently unilaterally with every other nation of the European Parliament voted for the sanctions against Russia that doesn’t really give them any elevated status or Nikki the problems with regards to your current leadership. As far as dimension of the only ties that your government has with Russia having to do with government-funded state media, I am finding that almost too hard to believe. For 2 years I studied modern European diplomacy as my major and college and yes during the Cold war when Hungary was under heavy influence of the… Read more »
Never refuted this. The right wing media in present-day Hungary does what the government wants it to do, and this choice was not influenced in any way by present-day Russia. What I have said is that this pro-Russia rethoric serves domestic political purposes. I can elaborate a bit if you like: the main ideology of the current Hungarian government for the last 13 years… Read more »
Cheaper business overheads in HUN vs SWI with Orban’s regime “rolling out the red carpet” (be they inducements or removing any legal/regulatory issues).
I hold originally agree with you and find this very suspicious. Leaving Switzerland for an international supporting organization is almost unheard of. As a matter of fact several months ago Brian Gumbel’s HBO sports had a segment dedicated to why exactly so many international sporting bodies are incorporated and located in Switzerland. I have it taped that I have not watched it yet. There is not only tradition going back a long time ago that IFC that they’re also must be relative attractiveness with the banking laws as well as being able to not be subjected to regulations by Switzerland as an organization.
I am not at all understanding why whether it’s just too sane or any of the… Read more »
World Aquatics (FINA) has never been fully transparent about its finances and Swiss law helped in that. Now it is about to move to semi democratic Hungary. Most of the funds flowing into its coffers come from companies based in Western countries and most of the leading swimmers come from the same countries. There’s a saying: “He who pays the piper calls the tune”. That certainly doesn’t apply to World Aquatics with non-entities like Hussain Al-Musallum and other officials from peripheral nations running the show.
Just make sure Tamas Gyarfas isn’t given a keycard to the building.
I live very close to the Hungatian border… and Orbán is a nightmare. Horrible news about Hungary and his disgusting politics are a daily thing (not just what occasionally reaches the U.S. – he’s truly awful!)
Why not move to North Korea, while you’re at it? I thought they wanted to clean up their image with the new name… one step forward, two (thousand) steps back.
how does this affect Sun Yang’s legacy?
Magyarország remek új otthona lesz a FINA-nak! Mindez a vesztegetésről és megvesztegetésről szóló szörnyű fecsegés egyszerűen rágalom!
Hungary will be a superb new home for FINA! All of this dreadful chatter about bribes and bribery is simply slander!
Yeah I don’t get all the hate. As if any country that has any connection to Russia or China is automatically corrupt while any other country is perfect. It’s not like all the western countries (my country included) don’t have major issues.
Why don’t these people have the courage of their convictions and just plant their flag in downtown Moscow next to their best buddy Vlady P?? Worlds worst secret that half of FINA (or whatever new re-brand they are trying) upper crust are Putin cheer leaders.
Read the article in Outside Magazine about the head of the ISL and FINA’s ties to Putin. It’s a fascinating read about the inner workings of this murky world with $$ ties to that little Soviet warlord who’s currently bombing childrens hospitals in Ukraine. Disgusting. Shame on FINA (or whatever they are called now).
If FINA is just a Russian puppet then why has it banned Russians from competing while the majority of other sports haven’t?
Thank you!