The swimming world will return to Doha once more as Qatar’s capital of sport hosts the FINA/airweave Swimming World Cup for the fifth consecutive time from October 8-9 in the Hamad Aquatic Centre.
The FINA/airweave Swimming World Cup will see some of the greatest athletes ever take to the waters of Hamad Aquatic Centre, many of whom will be energised by their new-found glory in the pools of Rio during the 2016 Olympic Games. Spectators can expect lightning fast times, more world records, and incredible action over two days. Fans will be delighted to know that two favourites of the Doha leg of the Swimming World Cup, Katinka Hosszu and Chad Le Clos, will return this year as well.
Le Clos, 24, dubbed the “golden boy” will head to Doha after winning two Olympic silver medals in Rio 2016 in the 200m freestyle and 100m butterfly. The South African swimming star has a fantastic track record from the 2014 and 2015 editions of the FINA/airweave Swimming World Cup in Doha. The talented swimmer took home three gold medals in 2014 in the 50m and 100m butterfly and the 100m freestyle events and managed to carry over his success to the 2015 edition of the Swimming World Cup where he snagged the same number of gold medals.
The Olympian Le Clos is also the Commonwealth Games Champion where he collected two gold medals, one silver and two bronze medals. Le Clos has built upon a great repertoire of experience which includes two Olympic medals in London 2012; a gold medal in the 200m butterfly and a silver in the 100m butterfly.
Commenting on his return to Doha for the FINA/airweave Swimming World Cup 2016, Le Clos said: “As athletes we travel the globe to compete in many meets and championships but the Doha FINA/airweave Swimming World Cup is very special to me and I always make sure that I prepare for it accordingly. Doha has always been very warm and welcoming to us – the water in Hamad Aquatic Centre is incredible to compete in so I’m really looking forward to heading out there and winning more medals and maybe even setting new records.”
Hungarian swimming superstar Katinka Hosszu – arguably one of the most talented swimmers in history – will also head to Doha once again. Dubbed the “Iron Lady” thanks to her unstoppable stamina and appetite for competition, the 27-year-old displayed amazing performances in the Rio 2016 Olympic Games where she devastated the competition and snagged three gold medals in the 400m, and 200m individual medley and the 100m backstroke and a silver medal in the 200m backstroke.
The Iron Lady set a new world record in the 400m individual medley after demolishing the previous record set by China’s Ye Shiwen at the 2012 London Games, almost by an entire 2 seconds. Hosszu added this new World Record to her ever-growing list of accomplishments including world records in the 100m, 200m and 400m Individual medal events and 100m and 200m backstroke. The Hungarian has had a stellar history with competing in Doha, one which she surely hopes to replicate this year.
Speaking ahead of her participation in Doha, Hosszu said: “I am very excited to continue the FINA/airweave Swimming World Cup series in Doha – competing there is always a great experience. When you compete against the best swimmers from around the world you end up pushing yourself the hardest you possibly can and that’s what I hope to do in Doha – to push myself harder and achieve even more – it’s a great environment for that.”
Hungary’s three-time Olympic champion Katinka Hosszu
