Top distance swimmers set for Doha marathon test
DOHA, March 16, 2018 The pristine waters of the Doha Corniche are set to host the FINA/HOSA Marathon Swim World Series 2018 on Saturday. The competition programme will include a 10km swim race for men and women.
The 10 km Marathon Swimming World Cup is a series of 10-kilometre, open water swimming races held annually since 2007. Before 2007, 10K races were held as part of the FINA's Open Water Grand Prix series. After the split, the series is now for races over 10 kilometres.
Prizes and points are awarded for each race in the series, with the points being added together for an overall point standing and awards. The series involve nine races over nine months across Europe, Asia, Middle East and Africa. The last race is scheduled for November in Abu Dhabi.
This is the first time that Qatar will stage this event and the Qatar Swimming Association (QSA) revealed the event hosting rights have been agreed for the next four years. Doha will also host the 2023 FINA World Aquatic Championships. Qatar's Mohammed Abdelrahman will fly the country's flag in the event. Italian duo and defending champions in the men's and women's categories Simone Ruffini and Ariana Bridi are also gunning for a good start this season's series.
Speaking at a press conference by the 'Orry the Oryx' in the Corniche, QSA President Khaleel al Jabir said,"I'm happy and proud to have you here in Doha, I welcome Sam and the delegation of FINA to be here with us, to assist us in this competition. I would like to welcome the the athletes to Doha. This is the first marathon to be hosted in Doha and we have signed on for the next four years until 2021. Doha will also host the aquatic championship in 2023, so hosting this event is important for us.
"I know it is warm right now as most of you are from really cold places. So enjoy the weather and good-luck for the race," he added. Also commenting on the event, FINA technical representative Samuel Greeton, said,"I always look forward to coming to Doha and I'm sure this event is a good foundation for both parties.
From our perspective, we want to use this as the jewel in our crown. "The communication between me and the organisers has been good, so I hope the competition lives up to the hype. The water is good and some of the best athletes are here. Hope it is a good competition and next year it becomes perfect." Dutch Rio Olympics gold medalist and one of the favourites in the men's race Ferry Weertman, praised the water conditions after taking a dip.
"It's my first time here and it looks nice. The water is great, it's not too hot, so I'm ready to race. I have been training hard over the past weeks so I can't wait to see what the race holds for me." Three-time women's 10k winner Ana Marcela Cunha said the participation of some of the best distance swimmers will make for an interesting race."The race is packed with really good swimmers, so I don't even know if I will get a medal. My last visit to Doha was in 2014 for the FINA gala, so it's good to be back here," she said.
Ferry who is yet to win on this stage could not hide his attraction for the Doha skyline."The venue here looks great and also the city, we don't have a lot of these tall buildings in Holland, so it's exciting to see for me." On his chances, the 25-year-old said,"The race is packed with a lot of good swimmers so it's not going to be easy for me to win or to even get a medal, I've never won a World Cup before but I would like this one to be my first."
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