The International Swimming Federation is no longer standing still. Six months after abandoning its historic name – FINA – in favor of a new, more universal one – World Aquatics – it is preparing for another change: the relocation of its headquarters. The Hungarian media are reporting that the body chaired by Kuwaiti Husain Al-Musallam will soon be leaving Lausanne, where it has been based since 1986, for Budapest. A memorandum of understanding was signed with the Hungarian authorities at the end of last week. To become official, the move must still be approved by the organization’s congress. In opting for Budapest, World Aquatics has made a risk-free choice. Hungary was one of the eight founding members of the International Swimming Federation in 1908. Its capital hosted the World Swimming Championships in 2017 and 2022. It will host the event again in 2027, as well as the world championships in the 25 m pool in 2024. Also according to Hungarian media reports, World Aquatics has guaranteed that at least half the staff at its future headquarters will be Hungarian nationals. In Budapest, World Aquatics will join another summer Olympic sport, the International Judo Federation (IJF).
