USA Swimming to Host 2017 FINA World Junior Swimming Championships in Indianapolis

World’s best 18-and-under swimmers to compete at The Natatorium in late August

COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO (September 16, 2016) The top 18-and-under swimmers in the world will come to Indianapolis for the 2017 FINA World Junior Swimming Championships, hosted by USA Swimming and United States Aquatic Sports. The event will be held at the iconic Indiana University Natatorium on the campus of IUPUI in late August. Final dates are to be confirmed.

This will be the sixth edition of the prestigious competition which was first held in 2006 in Rio de Janeiro and hosted in 2015 in Singapore. Nearly 1000 athletes from nearly 100 countries are expected to compete in the six-day meet that will feature an early look at young athletes who will vie for positions on their respective nations’ Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games rosters.

“We’re very excited to welcome FINA and the next generation of world champions to the United States for such a significant international competition. This is a showcase event for the future of swimming and an important step in the lives of younger athletes,” said Chuck Wielgus, USA Swimming Executive Director. “Competing at what we consider to be America’s most historic swimming venue will make this an opportunity of a lifetime for these young men and women. We know that the athletes, coaches, volunteers, families and spectators will enjoy a tremendous experience.”

Of the 45 pool swimmers for the United States at the Olympic Games in Rio, 35 were once members of USA Swimming’s National Junior Team. Eight members of the 2016-17 USA Swimming National Team were on the National Junior Team in 2015-16.

The FINA World Junior Swimming Championships is open to female athletes aged 14-17 and male competitors aged 15-18.

“FINA has very fond memories from Indianapolis, as we held there the 2004 edition of a very successful FINA World Swimming Championships (25m). I am sure that the 2017 FINA World Junior Swimming Championships will also be superbly organised in this exciting city,” considered FINA President Dr. Julio C. Maglione. “Our young swimmers will take once more this opportunity, staged in a country with a great swimming tradition, to gain international experience and prepare their successful entry in the elite world. Many champions shining at the recent 2016 Olympic Games in Rio started their brilliant path in past editions of our FINA World Junior Swimming Championships.”

Indiana residents on the 2016-17 National Junior Team roster include Michael Brinegar (Columbus, Ind./Golden West Swim Club), Jack Franzman (Zionsville, Ind./Zionsville Swim Club), Anya Goeders (Lowell, Ind./Mako Swim Team) and Drew Kibler (Noblesville, Ind./Carmel Swim Club). The last time the United States hosted a FINA World Championships competition was also in Indianapolis with the 2004 World Championships (25m). It was contested at the Bankers Life Fieldhouse.

The historic Indiana University Natatorium has been host to some of the biggest swimming competitions contested, including U.S. Olympic Team Trials, Phillips 66 National Championships, Mutual of Omaha Duel in the Pool, Arena Pro Swim Series, NCAA Championships and the annual Indiana State High School Association Championships.