Stage set for World Championships

The wait is almost over with only two days until the 16th FINA World Swimming Championships (25m) make a splash at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre (MSAC) on Tuesday 13 December.

Over 1,000 swimmers from 160 nations will line up across 46 events over six days of action, with an impressive USD 2.16 million prize purse on offer as hopefuls look to make their mark at the second ever FINA World Championship hosted in Australia.

At the World Championships Opening Press Conference, FINA President Captain Husain Al-Musallam thanked Swimming Australia and Visit Victoria for hosting the event at short notice, after the original host nation was no longer a viable opportunity.

“This event was scheduled to be held in Kazan, Russia and FINA decided it needed to find an opportunity for athletes to compete, we had to find a solution,” said Captain Al-Musallam.

“FINA was last here in Melbourne in 2007 and we knew the ability and capability of Swimming Australia and also the city of Melbourne.

“Australia as we know is an aquatic and swimming nation and this is one of the best locations for swimming in the world.

“Australian athletes and all athletes from throughout the world will compete to be the best here. We give support to this event, as we advance to the next Olympic Games in Paris.”

Swimming Australia Chief Executive Officer Eugenie Buckley welcomed everyone back to Melbourne after 15 years.

“For Swimming Australia, this is the icing on the cake to a great year,” Buckley said.

“We have confidence that many of the best swimmers are here in Melbourne. We know we have the most passionate fans in the world here in Victoria, and it’s important this international event has a local flavour, such as the Brighton Beach Boxes on the pool deck.”

Buckley also paid tribute to the Australian Dolphins, who will have plenty of support in the stands.

“We have many great Australian athletes competing, a big team of 36.  It is a credit to our athletes and their coaches for assembling such a massive team,” Buckley said.

“We are tracking finals tickets and they are selling very well, and we hope to include school groups in the morning preliminary sessions.”

Dual Olympian Madi Wilson said the Australia team is absolutely buzzing with excitement for the week ahead.

“We are excited to be here, we have endured the COVID-19 challenges for more than two years,” Wilson said.

“We know it has been 15 years since FINA last hosted an event in Melbourne, it makes me emotional that my family and friends will be in the crowd.”

 

One of the most anticipated match-ups in the event will be between Romanian David Popovici and Dolphin Kyle Chalmers who holds the current world record in short event, while Popovici holds the top spot in the long course.

“Sure, there is a rivalry between Kyle and I,” Popovici said.

“I want to learn and get better, my goal is to qualify for the final, and as we all know, once you have a lane, you have a chance.

“The event is a great opportunity to gather information and to gain experience to be the best I can be.

“The turns and starts are more intense in short course.

“Although the event has not yet gotten underway, I am sure that it will be one of my favourite events.”

The Championships will be staged over 6 days from 13-18 December, with heats in the morning and semi-finals and finals in the evening.

You can watch all the action on Channel 9.