The tournament featured the largest number of athletes in comparison with previous events, in which more than 2,600 participants hailing from 201 countries, in addition to the World Aquatics Refugee team, competed in 75 medals events.[4] However, the competition witnessed the notable absence of numerous top swimmers, with only six out of the 22 individual gold medalists from the 2023 World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka taking part in the event in order to defend their last year's titles.[5] A number of swimmers and member federations have expressed concerns regarding the timing of these championships, given they take place just five months before the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris;[6] in fact, this marks the first time a long-course world championship has been held in an Olympic year.[7]
Host selection
On 9 June 2015, World Aquatics (then FINA) reported it had received expressions of interest for the 2021 and 2023 FINA World Championships from Argentina, Australia (Melbourne or Sydney), China (Wuhan or Nanjing), Germany (two potential cities), Japan, Turkey and Qatar.
Bidding cities were then asked to present FINA with an executed Host City Agreement by 26 October 2015, and to make a formal presentation to the FINA Bureau on 8 November 2015. Australia and Germany were the first two countries to quit the bidding race and were followed by Argentina. Two others, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates, had also shown interest, but withdrew before the presentation stage.[10]
With all other interested cities formerly withdrawing, on 2 October 2015, FINA executive director Cornel Marculescu confirmed there were three final bidders: Nanjing (China), Fukuoka (Japan), and Doha (Qatar).[10]
On 31 January 2016, each of the bids were presented in a formal presentation at the FINA Bureau meeting in Budapest. After a vote, FINA announced Fukuoka as 2021 hosts and Doha as 2023 hosts.[11]
In a press release issued on the same day, FINA President Julio Maglione stated: “Today we were presented three extraordinary bids fulfilling all requirements and having great facilities. Both winning cities, Fukuoka and Doha, are strong partners of FINA and will offer optimal conditions for the organisation of these Championships. There is a very strong commitment from the local authorities to welcome this event in their respective dynamic metropolis.”[11]
Secretary General of Qatar Olympic Committee, Thani Al Kuwari, who led the Doha delegation, stated: “The FINA Family has been many times in Doha and everyone knows our true passion for organising top-events. Sport is an important tool for the development of our youth and of our country. Hosting the FINA World Championships for the first time in Middle East will be a great way to develop Aquatics on a global scale.”[11]
Venues
Three venues hosted competition at the Championships. The Aspire Dome, built for the 2006 Asian Games, hosted swimming and artistic swimming in a temporary pool constructed in the indoor football stadium, and water polo in a temporary pool constructed in the velodrome. Hamad Aquatic Centre, within the Aspire Academy, will host diving competition and was also the host venue of the World Aquatics Swimming Championships (25m) in 2014.[12] Open water swimming and high diving will take place at Old Doha Port.
Aspire Dome (swimming, artistic swimming, water polo)
On 20 September 2023, the mascots were announced as: Nahim, a Qatari whale shark, and Mayfara, a coral.[13]
The press release from World Aquatics stated: “Nahim and Mayfara are intimately tied to Qatar’s heritage and represent the inclusivity of the World Aquatics Championships and its commitment to promoting sustainability. The whale shark is the world’s biggest fish and commonly found in the safety of Qatari waters. The gentle giant, Nahim, a funny, friendly, and fun character that will be on hand to entertain the crowds and ensure everyone is made to feel welcome in Doha. Mayfara reflects the vibrancy and diversity of the coral ecosystem with a family of clownfish living in her fringe anemone and a laid-back starfish on her forehead. A great team player, Mayfara will raise awareness about the importance of protecting our oceans and help to light up the World Aquatics Championships - Doha 2024.”[14]
Schedule
A total of 75 medal events will be held across six disciplines.[15][16]
^In accordance with sanctions imposed following by the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, athletes from Russia and Belarus were not permitted to use the name, flag, or anthem of their respective countries. They instead participated as "Neutral Independent Athletes (NIA)" and under the World Aquatics flag.
