Quebec City to host combined 2021 FINA Junior and Youth Artistic Swimming World Championships

The world’s best junior (15-19) and youth (13-15) artistic swimmers will gather in Quebec City, Canada, in August 2021 to take part in a combined World Championships featuring both age groups. The event will be held August 21-29, 2021, at the PEPS Aquatic Centre in Quebec City.

This will mark the first time the two events, which are usually run biennially in alternating years, are combined. When the World Junior Championships, which were already slated to be held in Quebec City in 2020, were postponed to 2021, Canada Artistic Swimming saw an opportunity to create the largest age group World Championships ever held that would serve as both a post-COVID return to competition event as well as a giant celebration of the sport.

“We are absolutely thrilled that FINA has accepted our proposal to host both the 2020 Junior World Championships and the 2021 World Youth Championships together in Quebec City next summer,” said Judi Enns-Bradette, President of Canada Artistic Swimming.

“Although our sport is not yet back to training and competition, and there is some question about how the upcoming season will look, like the Olympic dates and location being determined amidst this uncertainty, it is great for everyone to know where and when these events will be held and we are proud that Canada has been chosen to host them. Combining the Junior and Youth World Championships into one event provides a wonderful opportunity for the artistic swimming community in Canada to be part of the celebration.  I can’t imagine a better light at the end of this tunnel.”

“We hope this format will facilitate the participation of all FINA artistic swimming nations who can economize on costs for team officials and others while participating in both competitions, » added CEO Jackie Buckingham.  While we do not know what next year holds, 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.”

FINA has also announced a one-year extension of the junior age eligibility rules for one season so that those 18 year-old juniors who would have competed this year had the event been held, will not miss their opportunity to represent their country in 2021.

Both Natation Artistique Québec and Québec Excellence Synchro will join CAS to host the world in Quebec. They are looking forward to welcoming over 800 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,” said Julie Vézina, Executive Director of Natation Artistique Québec. “The fact that Youth Worlds has been added 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 both these events and are grateful to Canada Artistic Swimming Canada and FINA for the faith they have put in us.”

Mélanie Beaudoin, vice-president of the local Quebec Excellence club, sees the event as a beacon of hope for the sport after a few difficult months:

“The past 3 months have been difficult for the artistic swimming community, and this announcement helps ease the disappointment caused by the premature end of the season. 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.finaquebec2021.com/
Instagram: @finaquebec2021
Facebook: @finaquebec2021