The bidders from Hungary, Japan, South Korea and China now have until April 4 to present formal bids to aquatic sport's world governing body before the FINA Bureau announces the host on July 19 at the 15th World Aquatics Championships in Barcelona.

The meeting of the potential bidders gave them information on the milestones for the bid and briefed them on the organisation of the World Championships, including matters such as budget, economic impact and legacy, venues, accommodation and transportation, television host broadcasting and media operations, marketing and promotion, and social and cultural programmes.

Dentsu, FINA's marketing agent, presented the sponsoring opportunities related to the Championships and the working procedure between FINA and the Organising Committee, while two of FINA's official partners - Myrtha Pools and Omega - joined the meeting to provide information about their services.

Barcelona, the organisers of this year's FINA World Championships, and Kazan in Russia, hosts of the 2015 tournament, also presented a short report on the preparation and challenges connected with the staging of FINA's flagship event.


Meanwhile, from the 2015 edition onwards the FINA World Championships will be immediately followed by the FINA World Masters Championships, to be held in the same location and venues.

"A successful bid will be the one that better symbolises the FINA winning strategy of organising its World Championships in a prestigious location, with superb facilities and capable of generating a true social event," said FINA's executive director, Cornel Marculescu, who chaired the meeting.

"That is why we call our FINA World Championships 'Aquatic Festivals'.

"Together with the sportive part of it, we want to create an unforgettable experience for the entire city hosting the competition.

"The joint organisation of the FINA World Masters Championships will add value to this impact and legacy."

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