At its Bureau meeting held today, July 9th, the Ligue Européenne de Natation (LEN) unanimously selected Budapest, Hungary as host of the 2020 European Championships.
Additionally, for the very first time, all disciplines will be hosted by the same country, with Hungary staging the European Water Polo Championships in January, Aquatics Championships in May and the open water event scheduled for June of 2020. The latter will be held in the city of Balatonfured.
Budapest is already well underway in it preparations to host the 2017 World Championships and World Junior Championships, with a brand new, state-of-the-art aquatic center in the works. The Alfréd Hajós Swimming Complex features two Olympic size pools, a diving pool, and an outdoor 50m pool. Approximately 15,000 spectators can be accommodated in the facility.
Says LEN president Paolo Barelli of the Bureau’s decision for 2020, “Budapest loves sport, Hungary loves sport, that has been proved in a lot of excellent events.”
Hungary is no stranger to hosting sizable aquatic events, as the city of Hodmezovasarhely is currently playing host to this year’s European Junior Championships. Additionally, Budapest was originally in the running to host the 2019 World University Games before withdrawing to focus resources on 2017 Worlds.
“We have a high-level and good working cooporation with the Hungarian Association – the ongoing junior European Championship is a good example,” continued Barelli.
“Success is guaranteed as Hungary will be the host and is now preparing for the 2017 world championship.”
The entire announcement can be read here.
Very original