The International Swimming Federation has announced next year’s World Aquatics Championships have been postponed from 2021 to 2022.
The event in Fukuoka, Japan, was originally scheduled for July 16 to August 1 of next year, but will now be held between May 13-29, 2022.
FINA president Julio Maglione said, “After liaising with the relevant stakeholders and receiving feedback from them, we have no doubt that the decision taken will provide the best possible conditions for all participants at the championships.”
“At a time of unprecedented uncertainty, FINA hopes the announcement of these dates will allow for some clarity in planning for all concerned.”
This decision follows the postponement of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
The mayor of Fukuoka, Soichiro Takashima, says there will be no reduction in the competition schedule.
“Of course, due to lingering COVID-19 fears here in Fukuoka City, we still cannot let our guard down,” he said.
“However, we will continue to exert our utmost efforts to eliminate COVID-19 as early as possible to meet the expectations of the many athletes and sports fans longing for the opening of our championships, and to make the event a great success.”
The new dates avoid a clash with the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, due to be held from July 27 to August 7.
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