The two organisations have been locked in a long-standing partnership and the deal will run through to 2021 having been due to expire next year.

The agreement was first signed in 2010 and was prolonged by a further four years back in 2013.

It covers the media rights in Europe for the 2019 and 2021 FINA World Championships, as well as the 2018 and 2020 FINA World Short Course Swimming Championships, guaranteeing free-to-air coverage of the sport’s flagship competitions.

The latest extension also incorporates other FINA events, such as FINA Diving World Cups, FINA High Diving World Cups, FINA Synchronised Swimming World Cups and the FINA World Junior Swimming Championships.

The EBU covers 56 territories in Europe and beyond, so the partnership ensures maximum exposure for all FINA sports not only on free-to-air television but also on other platforms including internet, mobile phones and radio.

"This renewed partnership between EBU and FINA represents a milestone for the aquatic sports and a real added value for the future of our sports, which has seen unprecedented levels of excellence in the recent years," FINA President Julio Maglione said.

"We are delighted to extend the agreement until 2021 to ensure our sports continue to make the headlines."

As well as the extension of the deal, it has also been announced that the EBU has appointed ESPN Media Distribution, the global sports media company, as its exclusive media agent to jointly market, sell and distribute the rights for a wide range of FINA sporting competitions.

"We are delighted by the renewal of our partnership with FINA which confirms the trust they have in the EBU and its members to provide the most extensive free-to-air coverage of aquatics throughout Europe," Julien Ternisien, Head of Sports Rights - Summer Sports at the EBU, added.

"We are very proud to have these events as part of our extensive summer sports portfolio."