London to host 2019 World Para Swimming Championships

Just seven years after the glorious 2012 Paralympics – London will host the rearranged 2019 World Para Swimming Championships in September.

The move comes after the International Paralympic Committee decided to strip the original hosts, Malaysia, of the right to host the event citing concerns over the safety of Israeli athletes.

It will be the second time Great Britain has held the Championships following Glasgow in 2015.

More than 600 swimmers from 60 nations are expected to take part in the week long Championship, which begin on September 9 - and UK Sport Chair Dame Katherine Grainger is delighted that London was ready to step in at such short notice to hold it.

“The UK is now a true world leader when it comes to hosting sporting events and our innovative approach to staging competition combined with our passionate fans will ensure this is a fantastic edition of the World Championships,” she said.

“We are also delighted to be bringing yet another world class sporting event to Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and the iconic London Aquatics Centre which I am sure the athletes, coaches and spectators will be very excited about.”

The 2017 Championships in Mexico City was a thriller, with American Jessica Long taking eight gold medals and Great British para-athletes setting two new world records.

International Paralympic Committee President Andrew Parsons added: “The London Aquatics Centre brings back many fantastic memories of the 2012 Paralympic Games and I am sure athletes will be greatly excited to return to such an iconic venue.”

The London 2012 games saw Great Britain compete with the best as they won 39 swimming medals - and they’ll look to go again in front of a raucous home crowd.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan echoed this sentiment and said: “The London Aquatics Centre was the scene of so many memorable performances during the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and it’s fantastic that London has the world-class facilities to step in at such short notice to host a major competition like this.”

BPA CEO Mike Sharrock added: “It’s a great opportunity for British fans to watch world-class competition, with the home crowd coming back to that familiar venue from London 2012 to cheer on some of the world’s best athletes as they race to qualify for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.”