ROME (Reuters) - The ongoing world aquatics championships in Rome could be the last held outdoors after governing body FINA said on Friday they want indoor venues in future because of global warming.
“It is clear the weather is developing. We know things are getting hot around the world,” FINA executive director Cornel Marculescu told a news conference.
“It’s very difficult for us to organise this type of magnificent event outdoors. We are definitely going to indoor venues in the future.”
The world aquatics championship started last week amid baking heat in the Italian capital and they run until Aug. 2, with the pool swimming kicking off on Sunday.
Irrespective of the Rome heat, Olympic 200 metre backstroke champion Ryan Lochte said swimming outside also made it tricky for backstrokers to keep their line.
“It’s going to be challenging for most swimmers because you don’t have a ceiling to look at,” the American told a news conference.
To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com
