Lausanne (SUI), April 16, 2015– The Hungarian Prime Minister Mr. Viktor Orbán and FINA President Dr. Julio C. Maglione were in Lausanne on April 16 to sign the official host city agreement between FINA and the city of Budapest, Hungary, the host city of the FINA World Championships and World Masters Championships in 2017.
Represented by a high-profile Hungarian delegation led by Hungarian Prime Minister, Budapest officially committed to organise and host FINA’s most prestigious event which showcases the Federation’s six disciplines: swimming, diving, high diving, water polo, synchronised swimming and open water swimming in 2017.
Expressing his gratitude and appreciation, Dr. Julio C. Maglione declared: “FINA would like to thank the Hungarian authorities and express his gratitude to the Hungarian Swimming Federation who has offered its support to FINA in an emergency situation. A solution of replacement for the 17th edition of the FINA World Championships and World Masters Championships was immediately presented to FINA by the Prime Minister, the city of Budapest and the Hungarian Swimming Federation. For this we are truly grateful.
The FINA World Championships 2017 will be hosted in a country who won the first ever medal in swimming competition and also in water polo (first national team in the Olympic programme).
Hungary is an international sports country committed to promote aquatics and sport in general not only as a show but also promoting aquatics for health and education of the new generation, constructing swimming pools across the country for the younger generation to learn to swim. The fantastic Hungarian hospitality, passion for aquatic sport and great expertise will be at the service of FINA’s major event on the aquatic calendar.
Again, on behalf of all the FINA representatives, thank you very much for the support and contribution.”
On this milestone for FINA and Hungary, Prime Minister Orbán said: “FINA and Dr. Julio C. Maglione are good friends of Hungary and I am here to confirm Hungary’s determination to be ready to host an outstanding FINA World Championships and World Masters Championships in 2017, four years than previously planned.
Budapest is a meeting point of cultures at the heart of Europe, a rising star, an open city with great hospitality and people and the whole country is backing this exciting project.”
Courtesy: FINA