President of the International Aquatics Federation , Husein Al-Musallam

SINGAPORE, July 10: President of the International Aquatics Federation (FINA), Husain Al-Musallam, emphasized the vital role swimming plays in society and development, as the 22nd World Aquatics Championships prepare to launch in Singapore.

Expressing his enthusiasm for the event, Al-Musallam noted that this marks the first time the World Championships are being held in Southeast Asia. A record-breaking 206 countries are participating, represented by 2,500 elite athletes.

"In addition, we have 7,700 athletes competing in the Masters Aquatics Championships, bringing the total number of participating athletes to 10,200," he said.

He extended his gratitude to the government of Singapore and the organizing committee for their swift and dedicated work in hosting the event after its relocation from Russia.

“We’re excited to witness the world’s best athletes in action over the next three weeks,” Al-Musallam added. “Our sincere thanks go to the volunteers and sponsors whose support makes this possible.”

Reflecting on recent competitions, Al-Musallam praised the commitment of coaches, national federations, referees, and athletes. “Their hard work was evident at the Tokyo 2021 Olympics, followed by the FINA World Championships in Budapest (2022), Fukuoka (2023), and two major championships in 2024 – in Doha earlier this year and the Paris Olympic Games.”