“Receiving FINA’s go-ahead in hosting another major international event in Canada is a great step forward for Canadian swimming,” said Pierre Lafontaine, CEO and National Coach for Swimming Canada.
“Canada has a great tradition with hosting impressive international events, and we welcome the opportunity to set a high standard in hosting the first ever World Junior Open Water Swimming Championships,” added Lafontaine.
As FINA revamped its international calendar last year, it announced that a World Open Water Championships for swimmers under the age of 18 would be introduced in 2012 in order to generate greater interest in the event.
The 3-day competition is said to draw over 200 participants between 13 and 18 years of age from around the globe. The list of events will include a 3, 5, 7.5 kilometer race for age groups 14-16 and 17-18. A mixed gender 3km relay will be added to the schedule.
“The Welland Waterway and the flatwater centre is a perfect setting for open water racing,” added Lafontaine. “The water conditions are stable and the spectators are able to follow the race at arms length of the field of play. It will make for a great festival of swimming.”
Following the integration of a 10km open water event as part of the Olympic Games curriculum in 2008, many great pool distance swimmers have made the leap to adding the open water event to their list of specialty events.
Lafontaine says that open water swimming is growing in popularity, and hosting a World Junior Championships in addition to its FINA World Cup event in Roberval is part of Swimming Canada’s objectives in further development the nation as a World contender.
Last year, Roberval QC was host to the FINA World Open Water Championships on top of hosting its annual Traversée du Lac St-Jean and FINA World Cup.