Getty Images
- Individual world record breakers will receive NFT and US$50,000
- EBU extends broadcast deal as Nine and NBC detail coverage
Aquatics world governing body Fina will give a personalised non-fungible token (NFT) to any athlete who breaks a world record at the World Championships in Budapest, due to start on the 18th June.
Fina has partnered with Budapest-based digital artist Krizbo to create an illustration of each individual world record that will be minted and awarded to the athlete, who will also receive a US$50,000 prize.
The organisation says the initiative reflects its desire to use digital technologies to enhance the sport and appeal to younger audiences.
“Breaking a world record is a very special moment in any athlete’s career,” said Husain Al-Musallam, Fina president. “We are very excited to use state-of-the-art digital technology to create a portable and permanent way of capturing athlete achievements in the pool … that is fully in line with the Fina reform committee’s recommendations on digital transformation. We are delighted to be one of the first international federations to pioneer this concept.”
The 2022 championships in Budapest are the first to be staged since 2019 due to the Covid-19 pandemic and include swimming, diving, water polo and artistic aquatics events.
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has confirmed at least 22 members will provide comprehensive coverage of the event after it extended its agreement to include both this year’s championships and the 2023 staging in Fukuoka, Japan.
“The Fina World Championships is an event EBU has supported since its inception, and Budapest 2022 extends this proud record,” said Andreas Aristodemou, Eurovision Sport’s head of summer sports rights. “We are delighted that our members supported this acquisition and are bringing their unparalleled coverage and reach to another edition of Fina’s flagship event.”
In Australia, Channel Nine will broadcast the event free-to-air on its 9Gem channel and on its 9Now streaming platform, while NBC will provide daily live coverage on the Olympic Channel and on its Peacock streaming platform.
