The World Aquatic Championships have taken on a new schedule following the COVID complications that the world had to offer. Nonetheless, despite a break in the pattern, the enthusiasm has remained unwavering amongst aquatic champions and enthusiasts alike. Even more so, with the upcoming Paris 2024 qualification chances on the line for the contesting athletes.
From February 2nd, Doha, Qatar will be hosting the finest of aquatic athletes in quest of the next champion. Elite athletes, six aquatic sports, and unending anticipation from the spectators, all and more have taken up the air in the aquatic industry. Now, with a few more days left on the calendar, World Aquatics has more news to up the ante and the excitement.
World Aquatics unveils medals’ first looks
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On the 18th of January, World Aquatics took to X to share the first looks of the medals for the competitions ahead. “What beauties are the World Championships medals for Doha 2024,” the post read. Medals of all three metals framed the image with an embossed wave and Doha 2024 embedded on top. The edition will feature 75 medal events across six of the aquatic sports and welcome athletes from about 190 nations.
🥇🥈🥉 What beauties are the World Championships medals for Doha 2024 🇶🇦 #AQUADoha2024 pic.twitter.com/UPqoxJcRuM
— World Aquatics (@WorldAquatics) January 18, 2024
The championship has fallen under one of the ‘main global events on the road to the Paris Olympics’. It will act as the last chance for athletes to qualify for the games and the stakes couldn’t have been higher. And in the race to the podium, Sarah Sjostrom, and Kate Douglass are prepping to join the thousands. With the event being the first Middle East World Aquatics championships, the organizing committee promises no less of a spectacle.
A spectacle awaits the swimming enthusiasts
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“We are committed to delivering a world-class event and experience for athletes and spectators alike,” Khaleel Ibrahim Al Jaber, Director General of the LOC, added at one of the conferences. Now add that to the presence of industry greats, the event will prove worth a watch.
As per the early announcements made later last year, some of the renowned names have arrived on top to look out for. Sarah Sjöström, who broke Michael Phelp’s record during the July 2023 Championships, was one of the first Swedish team athletes to make the list. The champion will look to defend her titles in the 50 fly and 50 free in the awaited event.
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Further framing the list is Olympian Kate Douglass, who won 3 championship medals in 2022. Douglas will be joined by Katie Grimes from Team USA in contesting five events at the Championships. The event will run till the 18th of February and will deliver Paris qualifiers alongside event champions by the end.
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