As we approach the end of 2024 and turn our attention to 2025, I would like to take a moment to reflect on what has been a truly remarkable year for World Aquatics. It has been a year of extraordinary achievements, record-breaking moments, and global collaboration that has further cemented our sport’s position as a driver of positivity in the world.
This year, we have been privileged to witness three major global events that highlighted the very best of aquatics. In February, the World Aquatics Championships in Doha, Qatar, brought together 2,600 athletes from 204 countries, including the inspirational World Aquatics Refugee Team. Across 17 days of thrilling competition, we celebrated six aquatic sports, 75 medal events, dramatic finishes, and world record-breaking performances that captivated fans around the globe. With over 320 hours of live broadcast coverage and daily highlights distributed to our broadcast partners, this event undoubtedly reaffirmed the wide appeal and strength of aquatics.
In the summer, the Olympic Games Paris 2024 delivered an unforgettable showcase of our sport. Across three stunning venues, new records were not only set in the pool but out of it too. With 1.3 billion social media impressions, 621 million engagements, and 609 million video views, aquatics reached an unprecedented global audience. An impressive 1.1 million people joined the World Aquatics digital community during the Games, a testament to the growing excitement and passion for our sport.
Most recently, in December, the World Aquatics Swimming Championships (25m) in Budapest, Hungary, were nothing short of spectacular. Athletes achieved 30 World Records, 13 Junior World Records, 46 Championship Records, and 63 Continental Records – an incredible demonstration of the depth of talent and determination of our athletes and their support teams.
This year, World Aquatics has also invested significantly in strengthening our global community. From thriving scholarship and mentorship programmes to our new sustainability framework, revised coaching pathways, and Learn to Swim initiatives, we are empowering athletes, nurturing communities, and promoting aquatics as an essential life skill. Together with our National Federations, Continental Organisations and friends around the world, we are ensuring that our sports continue to inspire and enrich lives at every level, from grassroots to elite competition.
2024 also marked a historic milestone for World Aquatics as we paid out $11.1 million to our athletes at World Aquatics events, the highest in our 116-year history. This is a reflection of our strong commitment to supporting athletes and ensuring our community continues to thrive.
As we look ahead to 2025, there is much to be excited about. The World Aquatics Championships in Singapore next July and August promise to be another brilliant showcase, with over 2,500 athletes from 210 Member Federations competing across six aquatic sports.
I want to sincerely thank our entire global community - athletes, fans, coaches, National Federations, Continental Organisations, valued partners, committee members, our hardworking staff, and all stakeholders - for your dedication and contributions in advancing aquatic sports in 2024. Sport has a unique power to unite and inspire, and this year has been a testament to that.
As we look forward to another year of collaboration and achievement, I am filled with immense pride and optimism. Together, we will continue to empower communities and create a healthier, safer and more vibrant world through aquatic sports.
Thank you, and I wish you all a successful 2025.