Previous experience suggests that the 2021 World Aquatics Championships, to be hosted by Hungary, could be made profitable, Minister of State for Sports Affairs in the Ministry for Human Resources István Simicskó stated.

The 2,500 competitors, 1,500 journalists and tens of thousands of spectators are expected to make an impact on hotel occupancy rates. According to estimates, television broadcasts will be seen by 3.5 to 4 billion people, he said. Mr Simicskó said that a new aquatics centre, including several swimming pools would be built in the northern part of Pest, near the Danube, for 17-19,000 spectators. After the competitions, however, the facility will be partially pulled down to a sustainable capacity of 4-5,000, he said. The International Swimming Federation FINA awarded Hungary, the right to host the 2021 World Aquatics Championships in Barcelona last month as well as the 2017 Junior Championships.

The 2013 FINA World Aquatics Championships have ended on Sunday in Barcelona with major wins for Hungary’s athletes. In this year’s events Hungarian competitors have excelled, by winning 4 gold, 1 silver and 2 bronze medals, finishing as 5th best out of 31 countries in the medals table. With these wins Hungary became the most successful nation in men’s water polo with three world titles and nine Olympic golds, while Dániel Gyurta proved to be the fastest in the men’s 200m Breaststroke race. Furthermore Katinka Hosszú won gold medals at both the 200m and 400m Individual Medley events.

(Ministry of Human Resources)