Doha, 25 January 2024 - The World Aquatics Championships - Doha 2024 announced nine athlete ambassadors ahead of the flagship event being held in Qatar and the Middle East for the first time between February 2 and 18, 2024.
The Doha 2024 Organising Committee announced a stellar line-up of ambassadors, including former World Champions, Olympic medallists and star athletes preparing to compete in the Championships. The ambassadors come from nine different countries, three separate continents and represent four of the six disciplines taking place in Doha during the 17 days of exciting competition.
Nada Mohamed Wafa Arakji became the first Qatari women to compete at the Olympic Games when she swam at London 2012 and is the host country's ambassador. Joining Nada is Syrian Yusra Mardini. Mardini was named as one of TIME magazines 100 most influential people in 2022 after competing for the Olympic Refugee Team at Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020.
Representing Africa will be Tunisia's Ahmed Hafnaoui, who will gain plenty of support as he looks to defend the two gold medals he won at last year's World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka, Japan, two years after stunning the swimming world when he finished first in the mens 400m freestyle at Tokyo 2020.
Three-time Olympic gold medallists Anthony Ervin (USA) and Ranomi Kromowidjojo (Netherlands) and Olympic champion Pernille Blume (Denmark) will also serve as ambassadors in Doha. These legends of the swimming pool have won more than 20 World Championships medals between them during their distinguished careers.
Water polo legend, two-time world champion and multiple World Player of the Year Filip Filipovic will be keeping a close eye on his former Serbia teammates, while Olympic medallist in Artistic Swimming Ona Carbonell Ballestero and 3m springboard diver turned professional high-diver Alain Kohl from Luxembourg will also be in Doha promoting the Championships.
Doha 2024 Director General Khaleel Al Jaber said: "We are delighted to be able to count on the support of nine distinguished ambassadors ahead of the World Aquatics Championships - Doha 2024 beginning next week.
"Doha 2024 promises to be a unique celebration of aquatics sports and a chance to welcome athletes and fans from across the world to Qatar, where they will be able to experience our state-of-the-art facilities, world-class hospitality and unique culture.
"Our ambassadors have all gained great followings during their careers and will be able to amplify the success of Doha 2024 through their work, ensuring that the world is connected to the Championships."
