FINA cancels junior open water world championship in Israel

World swimming governing body FINA has cancelled the 2nd annual open water championships that were scheduled to be held in Eilat, Israel from 28th to 30th August.

In a statement posted on the website, FINA said that it was due to “concern” from their federations related to “Security of their athletes and officials.”

The statement read:

"Please be informed that due to the unstable and unpredictable situation in the region, the FINA Bureau unanimously decided the cancellation of the 2nd FINA World Junior Open Water Swimming Championships that were scheduled to take place in the city of Eilat (ISR) from August 28-30, 2014.

"This exceptional decision was also dictated by notes of concern from various FINA National Member Federations related to the security of their athletes and officials.

"FINA will now designate and communicate to all its Members, in the shortest possible delay, a new Organiser for this competition, which should be staged on new dates (5th to 7th September) and probably in Lake Balaton, Hungary (pending the final Bureau decision).

"Thanking you for your continuous support and understanding, we are looking forward to a very successful second edition of the FINA World Junior Open Water Swimming Championships."

FINA's unnamed concerns relate to the ongoing fighting in the region between Israel and Palestine that has resulted in fatalities on both sides of the border, including a member of the Israel National Water Polo Team. This has apparently included the firing of a rocket in the “Eilat area” according to several news sources within Israel, and fear that the Eilot Airport might be targeted.

The plan is that a new version of the open water championships will be held in Hungary is September.

Click here to read the full statement from FINA.

13th May 2014 - FINA WORLD CONVENTION TO UNITE THE WORLD OF AQUATICS