The FINA High Diving Qualifier, the FINA/CNSG Marathon Swim World Series 2021, an Open Water Swimming Mixed Relay and a FINA Diving Team exhibition make up an exciting Aquatics Festival on Yas Island

 

The new events will take place alongside the FINA World Swimming Championships (25m) to be held at Yas Island’s Etihad Arena from December 16-21

 

Overall prize pool of $2.8million (USD) for the FINA World Swimming Championships (25m) is the biggest in FINA history

 

Abu Dhabi, 8 September 2021: To mark the 100-day countdown, the Abu Dhabi Sports Council is excited to announce that an Aquatics Festival will now take place in parallel with the FINA World Swimming Championships (25m) featuring additional FINA disciplines (diving, high diving and open water). 

 

Alongside the FINA World Swimming Championships (25m) which is taking place at Etihad Arena from 16 – 21 December, the FINA High Diving Qualifier, the ultimate leg of the FINA/CNSG Marathon Swim World Series 2021, a brand-new Open Water Swimming Mixed Relay and a FINA Diving Team Exhibition will form an Aquatics Festival on Yas Island.

 

The world's best short-course swimmers will descend on the UAE's capital to compete over a six-day competition and will be joined by divers, high divers and open water swimmers bringing Abu Dhabi further into the global spotlight and increasing the number of elite-level athletes showcasing their talents at the event.

 

The FINA High Diving event will serve as the final qualifying event for the 19th FINA World Championships, scheduled to take place in Fukuoka (JPN) in May 2022. 

 

The FINA Diving Team Exhibition, meanwhile, will feature a Mixed Team event, with those alternating dives from 3m springboard and 10m platform.

 

The final leg of the annual circuit of the FINA/CNSG Marathon Swim World Series will see competitors complete a 10km race, while an innovative Mixed Relay event will be staged for the first time ever. In the Mixed Relay, each team’s four competitors (two male and two female) will be challenged with completing a 1500m swim for a total of 6km. 

 

With the new competitions added to what was already an action-packed swimming schedule, the event will represent a true aquatics celebration right in the heart of Yas Island.

 

His Excellency Aref Al Awani, General Secretary of Abu Dhabi Sports Council, said: “As we mark 100 days to go until the start of the FINA World Swimming Championships (25m), we are delighted that multiple additional disciplines have been added to the schedule for what promises to be a truly memorable sporting event.

 

“Since the initial confirmation of the FINA World Swimming Championships (25m), we have been very much looking forward to welcoming some of the world’s most talented athletes to Abu Dhabi and Yas Island for a historical occasion, and this latest announcement adds to the overall sense of excitement and anticipation.

 

“During the event, Yas Island will be firmly in the global sporting spotlight, and over the coming months we will be working closely alongside organisers and key stakeholders to ensure the FINA World Swimming Championships (25m) showcases the very best of what the UAE has to offer, both on a sporting and non-sporting level.”

 

FINA President Captain Husain Al-Musallam added: “The FINA World Swimming Championships (25m) will close a wonderful year of swimming, and will now be enhanced with the addition of the FINA High Diving Qualifier, the FINA Diving Exhibition as well as the FINA/CNSG Marathon Swim World Series and an innovative Open Water Swim Mixed Relay.

 

“We are confident this aquatic festival will prove hugely popular with our athletes, the sports fans and the wider UAE community.

 

“With an increased number of top-class athletes from around the world now set to be involved in this multi-sport programme, the FINA World Swimming Championships (25m) promises to be the perfect occasion to conclude the sporting year.”

 

This latest announcement follows confirmation from the FINA President that the overall prize pool of over US$ 2.8 million will be available for the FINA World Swimming Championships (25m), the biggest awarded at a FINA swimming event. Prize money for individual events has increased by 50 percent, while any swimmer who sets a new individual world record will receive $50,000 (USD).

Aquatics Festival Schedule:

 

Wednesday 15 December 2021:

• Open Water Swim, Mixed Relay 4 x 1,500m

 

Thursday 16 December 2021:

• FINA/ CNSG Marathon Swim World Series (10km)

• Opening Ceremony of the FINA World Swimming Championships (25m)

 

Thursday 16 – Tuesday 21 December 2021:

• FINA World Swimming Championships (25m)

 

Sunday 19 – Monday 20 December 2021:

• FINA Diving Exhibition Team event

 

Sunday 19 – Monday 20 December 2021:

• FINA High Diving Qualifier

 

Tuesday 21 December 2021:

• Closing Ceremony of the FINA World Swimming Championships (25m)