By Nick Butler

FINA and the European Broadcasting Union have extended their partnership until 2017October 15 - The International Swimming Federation (FINA) and the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) have announced a further extension to their long-standing European media rights partnership for four more years until 2017.


This marks the latest extension of a deal which had been due to run out this year after last been agreed in 2010.

The EBU covers 56 territories in Europe and beyond, so the partnership ensures maximum exposure for all FINA sports not only on free-to-air television but also on other platforms including internet, mobile phones and radio.

Over the last three years the partnership included both the 2011 and 2013 FINA World Championships in Shanghai and Barcelona respectively and received much praise on each occasion.

The latest agreement is set to consist of both the 2015 and 2017 FINA World Championships as well as the 2014 and 2016 FINA World Swimming Championships over the short-course 25 metre distance.

For the 2015 FINA World Championships, due to be held in the Russian city of Kazan, the EBU will also be the host broadcaster. 

One of Europes biggest stars in Yulia Efimova celebrates after winning the 50m breaststroke at the 2013 FINA World ChampionshipsOne of Europe's biggest stars in Russia's double world champion Yulia Efimova celebrates after winning the 50m breaststroke at the 2013 FINA World Championships...she will be gunning for more glory in home waters in 2015


FINA President Julio Maglione highlighted the importance of this partnership.

"The EBU has remained a first-class partner over the years and we are very pleased to renew this agreement with them," he said.

"I am sure that the upcoming editions of our major competitions will once more delight many millions of TV viewers in the European territories covered by EBU.

"This will enhance the value and image of our aquatic sports."

These sentiments were endorsed by Stefan Kuerton, the EBU Director of Sports and Business.

"We are extremely pleased to continue to be the broadcast partner of FINA and furthermore to deliver the full range of services, including production," he said. 

"We will ensure FINA coverage reaches the widest possible audience to further develop world aquatics".

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