Mexico Withdraws As Host Of '17 World Aquatics Championships; U.S. Unlikely To Fill In

Mexico has "withdrawn as host" of the '17 World Aquatics Championships, with "economic distress caused by the fall of oil prices as a prime factor in the decision," according to Philip Hersh of the CHICAGO TRIBUNE. The '17 event "was to take place in Guadelajara." USA Swimming Exec Dir Chuck Wielgus in an e-mail wrote, "We would love to host a long course world championships in the United States, but the economic requirements make it impossible for us to seriously consider." Hersh writes the price tag for hosting the event is about $80M, with no "chance to break even." The "best bet" for a substitute host is "probably Qatar." The biennial World Aquatics Championships include "not only swimming but diving, water polo, synchronized swimming and open water swimming." The Mexican withdrawal means that FINA will have "had to move four big events" since '13. This year's event will be held in Kazan, Russia (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 2/19).