Breaking: After a Disappointing Run for Open Category, Fina Opens Early Doors for Masters Swimming Championship Doha 2024

As the 3rd leg of the World Aquatics Swimming World Cup nears, the organization announced the much-awaited registration portals. After the release of the entry list, the open category garnered scrutiny. Surrounding the participation of transgender athletes, the open category grabbed a lot of conjectures around it. With so many gold medalists, Olympians, and star swimmers about to hit the waters, World Aquatics opened a dream door for the interested participants again.

Scheduled from February 23rd – March 3rd in Doha next year, the iconic event invites star swimmers from all over the world. Offering great opportunities besides the participation bit, the World Aquatics Masters Championships have just flung open the gates.

World Aquatics Masters Championships await swimming legends

In the capital city of Qatar, as swimmers from 100 countries will step foot, Doha girded itself up. After getting a grand welcome to Doha’s rich culture and amazing food, 10,000 athletes would engage in strong feats. Grabbing it as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, the registration portal for the interested candidates opened. However, the gates close on 6th January, a good reminder for all the talented swimmers.

READ MORE: Young Swimmers to Watch Out Ahead of World Aquatics Swimming World Cup 2023

Besides the registration portal, the website also boasts the entry schedule for the participants. As a cherry on top, the iconic World Aquatics webpage gave the enthusiasts enough reasons to visit Doha. Hinting at the beautiful landscapes, hospitality and a diverse culinary scene, February has a lot to offer.

As more controversies around open category surfaces, the world awaits an assertive decision in the end. However, the recent decision added to the increasing anxiety.

The open category controversy

In Germany, lack of interested candidates led to the cancellation of a transgender athletes’ only “open category” swimming event. The first tournament to boast an “open category” for all swimmers was the Berlin Swimming World Cup, as per a July announcement from World Aquatics, initially FINA. The announcement of the event was a result of the criticism coming from the LGBTQ activists. Owing to the “gender inclusion policy” that was incorporated last year, the organization banned trans women swimmers from competing in women’s categories unless they started transitioning. However, Lia Thomas from the US team made her highly awaited debut in Berlin and affixed people’s eyes on her strong routine.

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As the registration gates opened for the next year’s feats, the swimming world is also ready to hit the waters.