Qatar will host its first-ever FINA HOSA Marathon Swim World Series event on Saturday, 17th March, with the turquoise waters of Doha’s iconic Corniche providing a stunning setting for reigning Olympic and World Champions to go head in the 10km open water swim.
The public will also have an exclusive opportunity to experience and swim the same course as the elite athletes in an Open Water Challenge competition on Friday, 16th March open to anyone over 11 years of age.
Doha will open the FINA Marathon Swim World Series 2018, which features nine meetings taking place in some of the world’s most scenic waterways, including the Seychelles, Portugal, Canada and China.
Over 350 athletes from over 50 national federations all over the world will compete in the one-day competition programme from March until November, with a total of $30,000 prize money available per event.
Speaking ahead of the event, President of the Qatar Swimming Association (QSA) and FINA Bureau Member, Khalil al-Jabir, said: “It is an honour for Qatar to host another prestigious FINA event and welcome the world’s best open water swimmers to kick off their World Series campaigns in Doha.
“We will apply our experience and knowledge from hosting multiple world-class FINA events, including six FINA World Cups and the 2014 World Swimming Championships to organise an event to the highest possible level for everyone involved. We hope that this event will continue to support the growth and development of swimming in Qatar as we build up to the 2023 FINA World Championships, the pinnacle event of the aquatics calendar. We invite everyone to come down to the Corniche on 16 and 17th March, soak up the atmosphere and cheer on the athletes”
The women’s elite competition will see an exciting showdown between Rio 2016 Olympic Champion, Sharon Van Rouwendaal of the Netherlands, 2017 World Series winner, Arianna Bridi and Rio 2016 Olympic silver medallist, Rachele Bruni, both of Italy, 2017 World silver medallist Samantha Michelle Arevalo Salinas of Ecuador and more.
Meanwhile in the men’s competition, Rio 2016 Olympic and 2017 World Champion Ferry Weertman will start as the strong favourite but will face stiff competition from Great Britain’s Jack Burnell, who finished just outside the medals in fourth place at last summer’s World Championships. Many of the athletes will attend the Open Water Challenge on 16th March to meet the public, share their experiences and provide tips and advice to the participants.
Commenting on the Open Water Challenge, al-Jabir said: “We encourage all Qatar residents to sign up for the Open Water Challenge for the chance to experience what it is like to be an elite athlete.
“Not only are we providing the opportunity to swim the same course as Olympic and World Champions but the public will also get to enjoy the same services and facilities before and after the competition and sample exactly what it is like to be one of the world’s best athletes!”
There will be three categories available for the public in the Doha Open Challenge: 400m for boys and girls aged 11-14, 800m for boys and girls aged 15-17, and 1,200m for boys and girls aged 18 and over.
Entries and registration will be accepted either through an email to [email protected] or at the Qatar Swimming Association offices on the 7th floor of Olympic Tower in West Bay between 9am and 12pm or 5pm and 7pm before 10th March. Further information can be found at www.qatarswimming.com.
Doha will open the FINA Marathon Swim World Series 2018, which features nine meetings taking place in some of the world’s most scenic waterways, including the Seychelles, Portugal, Canada and China.
