Inernational officials have called a summit meeting to discuss the widespread closure of swimming facilities ©Getty Images

World Aquatics President Husain Al-Musallam has promised to help counter the closure of swimming pools as a result of rising energy costs.

Many pools have been closed as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic and the energy crisis brought on by the Russian invasion of Ukraine has resulted in a price increase in some cases of around 200 per cent.

“World Aquatics is deeply proud of the way our sports bring together hundreds of millions of people every week, united by water in improving their health, living better lives and enjoying sport, but these advantages can only be fully enjoyed when there is proper access to the right facilities." Al-Musallam said.

"Swimming pools represent a special opportunity for physical activity and sport, for the very young to the very old. These facilities are deserving of special support,.

"We are concerned that in some places access is already being restricted, especially by swimming pool closures, reduced opening hours and big increases in entry prices, 

"This negative impact goes far beyond the regular swimming pool users who are training for competition and is especially troubling when it affects the ability of young people to learn an essential life skill."

World Aquatics President Husain Al-Musallam has vowed to help the swimming community overcome the closure of pools caused by the energy crisis ©Getty Images
World Aquatics President Husain Al-Musallam has vowed to help the swimming community overcome the closure of pools caused by the energy crisis ©Getty Images

The French physical education union has calculated that in France alone some 800,000 children had been unable to learn to swim in 2021 and 2022.

"Across Europe, the lockdowns of the pandemic meant that tens of millions of children already missed the chance to learn to swim at a time in their lives when this would normally happen," European Aquatics President António José Silva said.

"For too many communities, those closures have extended straight into a new period without access or with restricted access to swimming pools,"

Aquatics website Swimswam reported that in France at least 30 pools have been forced to close after operators reported an increase in energy prices from €15 million (£13 million/$16 million) to €100 million (£89 million/ $108 million) since the war in Ukraine.

Pools operator Vert Marine claimed that the increase was often equivalent to the total income generated by the facilities.

A swimming pool on the outskirts of Paris was one of at least 30 in France forced to close by rising energy costs caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine ©Getty Images
A swimming pool on the outskirts of Paris was one of at least 30 in France forced to close by rising energy costs caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine ©Getty Images

"Ours is a unique sport that can do more than improve lives,it can save them," Silva said.

"Alongside World Aquatics, we are determined to help our Member Federations to generate the support that is needed to keep swimming pools open."

LEN have scheduled a meeting with delegates from all Member Federations for February 13 to try and find a coordinated approach to the crisis.