The International Swimming Federation (FINA) launches its new elite swimming series in 2019. The three-part series will start in the USA, Budapest will be the second stop and China the third.
The organisational body of FINA announced their decision about the new series, which will take place between March and May, in Hangzhou 13th December, states MTI. The total prize of the tournament is USD 3.9 million.
At the same time, Tamás Gyárfás, the Hungarian member of the executive body of FINA, told MTI that he was surprised to learn the decision from the Hungarian online news portals and immediately called Cornel Marculescu, Executive Director of the International Swimming Federation since 1986, to clarify the situation.
“I told him we have a rule for international competitions that one can only join them with prior approval. Marculescu admitted they made a premature decision, although he thinks Hungarians are always reliable,”
said Gyárfás. Marculescu highlighted that the organisation of last year’s world cup is a great assurance for FINA that Budapest would be a proper host for the new event. He thinks Budapest is the home of swimming as well as other water sports.
He said he will correct his failure forthwith and write a letter to the Hungarian decision-making board.
The current Olympic and world champions, record holders and leaders of the rankings will be invited to the competition, who will be grouped into 24 member teams (12 men, 12 women). Every invitee will have their share from the prize as well as receive full catering. They will compete in 50m pools from Friday to Sunday at each stage of the invitational tournament. The program will be narrowed, they will organise 50, 100, 200 m races and 400 m freestyle and 200 m individual medley, as well as four relays at every location. There will be only finals in each race, with four swimmers in the pool.
FINA will distribute USD 2.463 million among individuals and USD 648 thousand among relays. The remaining USD 840 thousand will be given to the teams.
Budapest earlier hosted the FINA Budapest 2017 Aquatics World Championships and will be the home of the Superfinal of the Synchronized Swimming World Cup as well next year.
Featured Image: MTI/ Márton Mónus