FINA World Masters Championships
Montréal, July 14th 2011-The President of the Organizing Committee of Montréal 2014,
Mr. Christian Blais is proud to announce that Montréal has been selected to host
the 15th FINA World Masters Championships 2014. During their meetings being held
in Shanghai, prior to the World Championships, the FINA Bureau voted overwhelmingly
in favour of Montréal to host the World Masters Championships in July 2014.
"Montréal is a city where amateur sport occupies a special place. In 1994, we hosted
the FINA World Masters Championships and, in 2005, the FINA World Championships.
It is with great pride and pleasure that the Montrealers will welcome again, in
2014, the FINA World Masters Championships. On this occasion, our metropolis will
live at the rate of this exceptional event and I want to thank FINA for their renewed
confidence", says the Mayor of Montréal, Mr. Gérald Tremblay.
"Our presence in Uruguay accompanied by Mr. Michael Applebaum, President of Executive
Committee for the City of Montréal, during the 1st FINA Convention last September,
largely contributed to this success. In 2009, Mr. Chrystian Gauvin, master-swimmer
and administrator of the Fédération de natation du Québec, approached us to submit
our candidacy and, thanks to his vision, we decided to get involved in this wonderful
adventure" declared Mr. Christian Blais.
This event will attract between 8,000 and 10,000 athletes to Montreal over a period
of 14 days. The five aquatics sports will be represented, swimming, water-polo,
diving, synchronized swimming and open water swimming. Athletes from 60 countries
around the world will participate in this event. The ages are 25 and older in swimming,
open water swimming and diving, 30 and over in water-polo and 20 and over in synchronized
swimming.
"We shall host athletes from of all levels, since this event is open to all, including
former world champions and former Olympians. This Championship, held every two years,
is the largest aquatic event in the world" says Mr. Pierre Cloutier, Chief Executive
Officer, Montréal 2014.
"The Aquatic Federation of Canada is excited about this event coming to Montréal.
The presentation to the committee of the FINA Masters in Sweden last summer and
the hard work of the Organizing Committee contributed to this success" says Mr.
Bill Hogan, President.
For more information:
Mr. Christian Blais: (819) 372-6799
Mr. Pierre Cloutier: (514) 519-8968