Husain Al-Musallam, President of the International Swimming Federation (FINA), has expressed thanks to Hungary for hosting the 19th World Aquatics Championships. He said after the last event of the championships, the men’s water polo final, that all venues involved in Hungary had been “perfect” and thanks were due to the Hungarian government, to Budapest and to the authorities for organizing the event in a short time. He welcomed the fact that in five years, Hungary will again host the FINA World Aquatics Championships.
Balázs Fürjes, state secretary at the prime minister’s office and FINA board member, said Hungary and its capital had “made history” through organizing and holding the world aquatics championships during the past two weeks. He noted that the country had a mere four and a half months to prepare for the event attended by over 10,000 people. Foreign visitors spent some 77,000 guest nights in Budapest, he said, adding that “it did especially good to tourism” following a recession in the sector caused by the coronavirus pandemic. He also added that the championships had been followed by over 2 billion people on television and online. Budapest has become “an international sports capital”, Fürjes said, insisting that “nobody else could organise international sports events faster and more efficiently”. “Budapest is the only capital in the world to host three world championships in 10 years,” he said, noting that in 2027 another FINA world competition would be held in Hungary.
Photo credit: MTI