Abdullah Al Wahabi, President of the Aquatic Sports Federation, confirmed that the Dubai International Aquatics Championship 2026 has set unprecedented records after officially closing registration. The event will see 1670 swimmers and swimmers from over 100 nationalities, representing more than 80 clubs and academies from around the world. The swimming competitions will take place from April 2nd to 6th, in cooperation with the Dubai Sports Council and the Hamdan Sports Complex, which is considered one of the world's leading specialized aquatic facilities due to its modern amenities and advanced equipment. In an interview with "Emirates Today", Abdullah Al Wahabi said: "The great interest in registration reflects the growing confidence in the UAE's organizational capabilities and confirms the global standing the championship has achieved in recent years." He added: "These numbers are not just figures, but clear evidence that the Dubai International Championship has become a global platform for producing champions and discovering talents within a professional organizational environment and advanced infrastructure. We are facing an exceptional edition, and we are working with our partners to present an event that meets the highest international standards and reflects Dubai's leading position in the sports world." He continued: "The championship's accreditation by World Aquatics gives its results official status and enhances its importance as one of the qualifying stops for major championships, led by the 2026 Dakar Youth Olympics." Al Wahabi also noted that the 2026 edition will witness the launch of the championship's records program for the first time, where official records will be recorded in the 50 and 100-meter races, with financial prizes and certified certificates, aiming to raise the level of competition and motivate swimmers to achieve the best results." Concluding his statements, Al Wahabi confirmed that the organizing committee continues to work at a high pace to ensure a comprehensive organizational and technical experience, saying: "We are keen for the championship to reflect the UAE's leadership in hosting major sporting events and to meet the expectations of participants from all over the world."
