After an incredible 2015 season that saw world records tumble across the board, Qatar will once again welcome the greatest swimmers from around the world for the FINA airweave Swimming World Cup 2016, which will be held at the fantastic Hamad Aquatic Centre in Doha from October 8 to 9.
The premier swimming event will see newly-crowned Olympic champions take to the water of the Hamad Aquatic Centre, following their successes at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Swimming fans young and old alike can expect to see breath taking performances, shattered world records and intense competitions over the two days of swimming action.
Qatar Swimming Association president and Local Organising Committee chairman Khaleel al-Jabir said: “We will continue to build on the massive momentum that we have accrued over the years. Qatar is once again more than ready to host the world’s greatest swimmers in its facilities and welcome them once more with our hospitality. The Qatar Swimming Association strives to ensure that each edition of the FINA Swimming World Cup improves upon the one before it and this year our approach is no different.”
Fans are in for a special treat as FINA Swimming World Cup winners and reigning FINA Swimmers of the Year, Chad Le Clos (South Africa) and Katinka Hosszu (Hungary) will once again compete in the fast waters of the Hamad Aquatic Centre. Le Clos battled hard in the Rio 2016 Olympic Games and took home two silver medals in the 200m freestyle and 100m butterfly – a result he will definitely be looking to build on in Doha. Hosszu meanwhile won an incredible three gold medals and a silver, also setting a new world record and an Olympic record in Rio. These champions are sure to make this year’s edition a sight to see.
Le Clos recorded amazing performances at Hamad Aquatic Centre in 2014 and 2015. At the FINA Swimming World Cup in August 2014, he took home gold in the 50m and 100m butterfly, his signature events, as well as the 100m freestyle. Hosszu also has a storied history in the FINA Swimming World Cup, where she broke two world records and a championship record in the 2014 edition alone.
Other swimming stars that will head to Doha for the FINA Swimming World Cup are Australians Brittany Elmslie and Madeline Groves who took home the gold medal in a stunning 4x100m freestyle relay final in the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. World record holder in the 200m breaststroke Rikke Moller Pedersen from Denmark is also expected to compete as well as 100m breaststroke world record holder Alia Atkinson from Jamaica and former world record holder Roland Schoeman from South Africa.
Tickets are available through q-tickets.com and prices are set at QR20 per person per session. Given this year’s stellar line up of athletes, be sure to book your ticket well ahead of time.