A Crowded Calendar: Swimming’s Global Schedule Has Become a Traffic Jam

A Crowded Calendar: Swimming’s Global Schedule Has Become a Traffic Jam

Looking for a gift for the swimmers or swimming-connected individuals in your life? Get them a calendar or personal organizer. Or introduce them to the best digital planner you know. After all, they’re going to need the managerial support over the next several months—and coming years.

Over the past two years, the COVID-19 pandemic has dealt the world myriad difficulties, the health of millions of individuals at the forefront of this ongoing crisis. On a much smaller scale, when measured against the medical impact, the pandemic has hurled schedules into chaos, including the upcoming agenda for our sport.

As 2022 dawned, the plan was for the next edition of the World Championships to be held in Fukuoka, Japan. However, that competition, already delayed by a year when the Olympic Games in Tokyo were pushed back by 12 months, was further pushed back by COVID-19 factors—with 2023 its newest date. For many athletes, this latest postponement wasn’t too much of a concern, as numerous regional events around the globe were scheduled: Commonwealth Games, European Championships, Asian Games.

Yet, for the United States, there was a sudden problem.

Without the World Champs in Fukuoka, American stars would not have a focus meet for the summer. How would they measure their progress? Would they lose sponsorship opportunities? How would they sharpen their racing chops on the road to the 2024 Olympics in Paris? There were obvious concerns.

Then, as quickly as Caeleb Dressel covers the 50 meter freestyle, there was a surprise answer. In a statement in early February, FINA revealed that it would—indeed—hold a World Championships during 2022, with Budapest emerging as the site. Was the decision made to accommodate the United States, the inarguable superpower in the pool? Those dots can be connected.

“As an aquatics community, we are finding solutions around the pandemic, and (the Budapest) announcement is an important step in this process,” FINA said. “We know we need to be imaginative in our approach in navigating through the current health crisis for our athletes. (This) agreement is a testament to this work. FINA also recognizes that the pandemic is evolving differently according to time and place.

“We are extremely fortunate to have event hosts that share our passion for aquatics and have the willingness, capability and flexibility to organize FINA’s most prestigious event. We are deeply grateful to all our hosts and know that aquatics athletes feel the same way. With four FINA World Championships and the Paris 2024 Olympic Games over the next four years, we are maximizing the racing opportunities and earnings potential for established and emerging aquatics athletes alike.”

While there was no doubt relief in American corners, the decision by FINA to conduct an “extraordinary” World Champs in Budapest does not offer comfort to athletes in other locales. Rather, the addition of this global event only complicates this summer’s schedule. Which event do I prioritize? Should I skip one of the meets? If I race at all competitions, how will that affect my long-term training? All of these questions are logical.

This summer’s slate will now include multiple major competitions, and there is a likelihood that swimmers—with connections to each—will pick and choose where to race. These decisions will, undoubtedly, lead to less-than-full-strength fields, with some swimmers racing in peak form at one location and in less-than-ideal shape at another.

For the athletes, tough calls must be made. Additionally, the International Swimming League’s decision to contest its fourth season over a six-month period adds to the scheduling dilemma. More, with a World Champs scheduled for every year from 2022-25 (and with an Olympics also in there), these competitions will feature less prestige than in the past. The former biennial approach of the World Championships held greater cache.

FINA’s move to add a World Champs to this summer may have been a plus for American swimmers, but the sport’s calendar is a traffic jam, akin to an age-group warmup with inadequate lane space. Where will swimmers go? How will they perform? How will medals be viewed? Time will tell. If nothing else, get your planner ready. You’re going to need it.

All commentaries are the opinion of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Swimming World Magazine nor its staff.

Name*

Email*

Welcome to our community. We invite you to join our discussion. Our community guidelines are simple: be respectful and constructive, keep on topic, and support your fellow commenters. Commenting signifies that you agree to our Terms of Use