FINA chief Maglione: Hungary ‘superb host’ of aquatics championships

Hungary was a “fantastic” host of both the FINA world aquatics championships and the masters championships held between July 14-30 and August 7-20 respectively, FINA chief Julio Maglione told a press conference. 

The FINA president reiterated that Budapest and Balatonfüred had hosted the best world aquatics championships of all times.

The viewing data are still being processed, but the championships are sure to have boosted the popularity of aquatic sports worldwide, Maglione said. He specifically thanked the Hungarian government, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, the organisers, the volunteers and Hungarian citizens “for the miracle they performed in the two years since Mexico’s withdrawal from the organisation”.

Originally, in 2011, the city of Guadalajara received the right to host the 2017 championships. Four years later, however, Mexico backed out of the commitment pleading lack of funds.

As we published a survey, fully 80 percent of Hungarians asked said that hosting the recent world aquatics championships was a good idea, while merely 11 percent said the opposite.

Photo: MTI

Source: MTI