The Championships were originally awarded to Dubai, United Arab Emirates, in July 2009; however, Dubai withdrew as host in May 2010.[3] FINA then re-bid the meet, and Barcelona was selected on September 26, 2010.[4][5]
On the first day of competition on July 20, American Haley Anderson won the first gold of the competition in the women's 5 km, just beating Brazilian Poliana Okimoto 56:34.2 to 56:34.4. In the second event on day one, Tunisian Oussama Mellouli won the men's 5 km race with a time of 53:30.4.
181 nations entered the competition.[10][11][12][13]Ecuador, currently suspended by FINA, participated under the FINA flag as independent athletes.[14]