The IPC has announced that Mexico City will host the 2017 International Paralympic Committee Swimming World Championships.
Originally, Mexico City was supposed to host the 2017 FINA World Championships, but the Mexican Federation backed out and refused to pay the contractually-obligated fine. As a result, the Mexican Federation is currently suspended by FINA. Para swimming is not governed by FINA, which is why Mexico City is able to host the Para Swimming World Championships despite their national swimming federation’s suspension by FINA.
The 2017 IPC Swimming World Championships will happen in conjunction with the 2017 IPC Powerlifting World Championships. By combining these two championships, Mexico City will attract more than 550 swimmers and 360 powerlifters from 60 plus countries, according to the IPC.
Xavier Gonzalez, the Chief Executive Officer of the IPC believes, “The coming months and years are an exciting time for Para sport in the Americas and we are confident that this will be an unique event.”
Spectators and fans will have the ability to attend both competitions, as they will run simultaneously and in the same building. According to Horacio de la Vega Flores, the General Director of the Sports Institute of Mexico City, “Both venues were used for the 1968 Olympic Games and will be fully refurbished and updated to meet the standards required for hosting present day world class athletes.
Mexico City is not new to hosting world class events. In 2015, Mexico City hosted the IPC Powerlifting Americas Open Championships and the IPC General Assembly. Further details about these two competitions as they will be revealed in press conference in July, according to the IPC.
This will be the 8th edition of the IPC Swimming World Championships:
Edition | Venue | Dates | Best nation |
---|---|---|---|
1994 | Valletta | ||
1998 | Christchurch | 7–17 October | CAN |
2002 | Mar del Plata | 3–12 December | GBR |
2006 | Durban | 2–8 December | USA |
2010 | Eindhoven | 15–21 August | UKR |
2013 | Montreal | 11–17 August | UKR |
2015 | Glasgow | 13–19 July | RUS |
2017 | Mexico City |
It really doesn’t make much sense to hold these championships at that altitude. Why not do it elsewhere in Mexico but a sea level? What is next? Soccer World Cup in La Paz?
This is unacceptable. Mexico City is at 7400 feet which can be dangerous for some athletes and will cause a slow meet. ????
I forgot about the altitude, that’s where bob Beamon set the crazy long jump record. it is too high up for a major swim meeting
I would vote Cabo San Lucas with excellent fishing and night life
They are using the original olympic pool? Hope its been updated since then.