Money issues have "forced Mexico to withdraw" from hosting the 2017 Int'l Swimming Federation (FINA) Swimming World Championships in Guadalajara, "with organizers saying they cannot afford" the $100M price tag that goes with hosting the multi-sport aquatic event, according to SWIMMING WORLD. The money to host the event "was to come from Mexican federal funds, but recent budget cuts as a result of falling oil prices means the money needed to put on the competition is no longer available." But Mexico "does not get away cleanly." The country will have to pay FINA a $5M penalty "for the withdrawal and had already spent" $9.5M of the $100M budget. Mexico National Commission for Physical Culture & Sport (CONADE) Dir Jesus Mena said, "After reviewing the budget, we have determined that we must inform FINA that Mexico cannot host the world championships." The announcement "comes as a bit of surprise, since Guadalajara had successfully hosted the 2011 Pan American Games and was given the job of hosting the world championships just weeks later." This puts FINA in "dire straits as it scrambles to find a host" for the '17 event, and the Masters world championships that was to follow. FINA Dir Julio Maglione said the news "is very painful for us." It is "not known which cities FINA would consider to host the event" (SWIMMING WORLD, 2/18).
