DOHA, March 12, 2018-Qatar will host its first-ever FINA HOSA Marathon Swim World Series event on Saturday, 17th March, with the turquoise waters of Doha's iconic Corniche providing a stunning setting for reigning Olympic and World Champions to go head in the 10km open water swim.
The public will also have an exclusive opportunity to experience and swim the same course as the elite athletes in an Open Water Challenge competition on Friday, 16th March open to anyone over 11 years of age.
Doha will open the FINA Marathon Swim World Series 2018, which features nine meetings taking place in some of the world's most scenic waterways, including the Seychelles, Portugal, Canada and China.
Over 350 athletes from over 50 national federations all over the world will compete in the one-day competition programme from March until November, with a total of $30,000 prize money available per event.
Speaking ahead of the event, President of the Qatar Swimming Association (QSA) and FINA Bureau Member, Khalil al-Jabir, said: “It is an honour for Qatar to host another prestigious FINA event and welcome the world's best open water swimmers to kick off their World Series campaigns in Doha.
“We will apply our experience and knowledge from hosting multiple world-class FINA events, including six FINA World Cups and the 2014 World Swimming Championships to organise an event to the highest possible level for everyone involved. We hope that this event will continue to support the growth and development of swimming in Qatar as we build up to the 2023 FINA World Championships, the pinnacle event of the aquatics calendar. We invite everyone to come down to the Corniche on 16 and 17th March, soak up the atmosphere and cheer on the athletes"