Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC) has partnered with Fina — the world governing body for swimming — to host both the 10km Marathon Swimming and High Diving World Cup Competitions, which will take place from February 26-29 at the Abu Dhabi Sailing & Yacht Club.

In line with its commitment to develop a healthy and sporting community in the UAE, the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, working alongside the UAE Swimming Federation, is also launching the Fina Open Water Mass Participation Swim, which is open to swimmers of all ages and abilities from around the UAE.

More than 130 of the world’s leading male and female open-water swimmers from 35 countries are expected to attend the event in Abu Dhabi, competing for their chance to gain qualifying points for the Rio Olympics and a slice of the $60,000 (Dh220,400) prize fund. In the diving event, the world’s top 25 men and top 20 women’s high divers will compete for a prize fund of over $118,000 (Dh433,400).

Aref Hamad Al Awani, General Secretary, ADSC, said: “This is yet another opportunity to witness excellence in sporting taking place in the waters just off our Corniche, which is a magnificent backdrop for the professionals, and amateurs, to test their skills. We hope the performance feats displayed over the weekend will capture the imagination of UAE nationals and residents alike, so that with the UAE Swimming Federation we can move ahead in building a strong aquatic sports culture in Abu Dhabi. We have the climate, the waters and the facilities to make this happen — all we need now is public engagement, which events like this can achieve.”

The three Fina Open Water events will offer free entry and grandstand seating for all spectators as part of an entertainment village, which will include a variety of gourmet food stands, musical entertainment and activities for families and children.

The Fina/Hosa 10km Marathon Swimming World Cup will take place on February 26. This annual, elite-level competition will bring together renowned marathon swimmers from around the globe.

The competition includes seven legs that take place in some of the world’s most scenic waterways across six different countries, including Argentina, the UAE, Hungary, Canada, China and Hong Kong.

Taking place from February 27-29, the Fina High Diving World Cup will include two separate events on its programme: a men’s competition in five rounds and a women’s competition in two rounds. The men will perform dives from a 27-metre platform and the women from a 20-metre platform.

As for the Fina Open Water Swim World Event 2016, taking place on February 26, this Open Water Swim is designed to give swimmers of all ages and abilities a chance to experience the sport of open-water swimming in a safe and professionally managed swimming arena in the waters of the Abu Dhabi Corniche.

The event is part of the World Series of Mass Participation Swims, which takes place in seven different countries around the world. The swim distances range from a Junior Splash of 300 metres, team relays and one mile (1,600-metre) swim around an elite course. There will be a full water safety team available around the course and all amateur participants will be granted a participation certificate.

Interested participants can sign up online by visiting www.premieronline.com