Windsor, which is the southern most city in Ontario and is known as the "City of Roses", were awarded the event by FINA's ruling Bureau ahead of rival bids from Abu Dhabi, Ashgabat in Turkmenistan and Hong Kong.  

It will be only the second occasion the biennal event has been held in North America since it was launched in 1993 and the first time since it was staged in Indianapolis in 2004. 

"I warmly congratulate the city of Windsor, the Aquatic Federation of Canada and Swimming Canada," said Julio C. Maglione, the President of FINA, when announcing the decision on the eve of this year's Championships in Turkey's financial capital.

"I am sure we will have a great FINA World Swimming Championships in 2016."

The event is due to be staged at the WFCU Centre, a multi-purpose entertainment complex which is home to the local city's professional basketball and ice hockey teams, Windsor Express and Windsor Spitfires respectively.

It is estimated that it will cost up to $3 million (£2 million/€2.3 million) to install a 25 metre pool in the Centre and to host the Championships. 

"We are aware of the FINA strength in the world of sports and this fantastic outcome will help transform our city and strengthen our passion for sport," said Windsor Mayor Eddie Francis, who was in Istanbul to hear the news. 

"When the world comes to Windsor for these Championships, all the visitors will be positively surprised by the vitality of our city and region, the diversity of her communities and her generous hospitality.

"These characteristics were essential in our successfully bid and will serve us well as we get ready to host a great World Championships in 2016."

Windsor is expected to utilise accommodation and facilities over the border in the United States, in Detroit, during the Championships.


"We like to bring the world to us, and this will be a privileged occasion to have the best among the best in Canada," said Pierre Lafontaine, the chief executive of Swimming Canada. 

"This kind of events truly inspires the country and its youth - and this was our main goal behind this bid.

"The energy and dynamism of Mayor Francis in creating this dream for his community was essential in this positive result.

"In terms of the impact for swimming in Canada, it will be also amazing."

The 2014 World Short Course Swimming Championships are due to be held in Doha after the Qatari capital stepped in earlier this year to replace Italian city Catania, who withdrew because of the country's economic crisis.

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