Quebec City to host 2022 FINA WORLD Junior Artistic Swimming Championships
The world’s best junior (15-18) artistic swimmers will gather in Quebec City, Canada, in August 2022 to take part in the 17th FINA World Junior Championships. After being postponed twice in 2020 and 2021 because of the pandemic, FINA confirmed today that the event will be held on August 23-27, 2022, at the PEPS Aquatic Centre in Quebec City.
“We are absolutely thrilled that FINA has accepted our renewed proposal to host the Junior World Championships in Quebec City next summer,” said Florence Klein, President of Canada Artistic Swimming.
“Although our sport is still slowly recovering from the effects of the pandemic, and even if there are still some unanswered questions about what the upcoming season will look like, it is great for everyone to know where and when this event will be held. We are proud that Canada has been chosen to host it, and confident that it will provide a wonderful opportunity for the artistic swimming community in Canada to be part of the recovery.”
While the postponed edition from 2021 was a combined Junior (15-18) & Youth (13-15) competition, the 2022 edition will concentrate on the Junior age group only, thereby affording more practice and recuperation time for all participants. FINA also confirmed today that the postponed 2nd 13-15 Youth Worlds event will be exceptionally held in an even year, in Charlotte, NC, on August 9-13.
“We’re very excited that the 2 major age group World Championships will be held back to back on the American continent, and can’t wait to work with our USA Artistic Swimming colleagues to facilitate the participation of all FINA artistic swimming nations,” stated CEO Jackie Buckingham. It is our plan now to prepare a festival to celebrate the future stars in our amazing sport as we return to competition. We thank our friends and colleagues in Quebec City, and our hosting partners Natation Artistique Quebec and Quebec Excellence Synchro Club, for their support and hard work to help us deliver a magical experience for all participants.”
Both Natation Artistique Québec and Québec Excellence Synchro will join CAS to host the world in Quebec. They are looking forward to welcoming over 450 athletes, coaches and officials for this one-of-a-kind event at PEPS, a world-class facility that has provided an ideal environment for international athletes to shine in the last few years. The venue hosted the FINA World Cup in 2014 and the 2019 FINA Artistic Swimming World Series as well as multiple national events over the past few years.
“We’re very excited that the Junior Worlds event is staying in the province even after having been postponed twice,” said Julie Vézina, Executive Director of Natation Artistique Québec. “This is great news that will undoubtedly contribute to the revival of artistic swimming programs across Canada. We will be proud to contribute to the hosting of this event and are grateful to Canada Artistic Swimming Canada and FINA for the faith they have put in us.”
Mélanie Beaudoin, President of the local Quebec Excellence club, sees the event as a beacon of hope for the sport after a few difficult months:
“This is a very encouraging announcement that comes at a great time. as the sport is slowly recovering in Quebec City and in Canada. This competition will represent a fantastic opportunity for swimmers from the club and across the country to be inspired by these exceptional athletes. It will be a real privilege for the whole club to assist in hosting these events.”
We invite you to visit our website and social media accounts for more information and exciting content leading up to the event.
Website: www.finaquebec2022.com/
Instagram: @finaquebec2022
Facebook: @finaquebec2022