Planet swim physique appears to move from Olympics’ dwelling city to Hungary

Linked PressMay 26, 2023, 03:16 PM ET1 Minute Study

LAUSANNE, Switzerland — The governing physique of swimming stated Friday it is seeking to leave the Olympics’ dwelling city in Switzerland and move its headquarters to Hungary.

Planet Aquatics has signed a operating agreement with officials from the government in Budapest of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.

Budapest staged the aquatics planet championships in 2017 and 2022, and it is set to host once more in 2027. It also hosts offices for the governing bodies of Olympic sports judo and weightlifting.

“Hungary has repeatedly confirmed itself to be a amazing host for our sport and for our athletes,” Planet Aquatics president Husain al-Musallam stated in a statement, adding the governing physique “remains sincerely grateful for this.”

In 2018 the planet swim physique, then identified by its French acronym FINA, celebrated its 110th anniversary by inaugurating a new headquarters in Lausanne on a hillside road neighboring the Swiss supreme court. The 19th-century villa had been extended with modern day offices.

Planet Aquatics noted Friday that it operates “numerous improvement centers about the planet” — such as in Russia, Senegal and Thailand — and Budapest “attributes devoted aquatics education and competitors facilities.”

Media in Budapest reported Planet Aquatics aims to have men and women from Hungary fill half of its employees jobs there.

The swim organization was founded in 1908 in London and moved to Lausanne in 1986.