Dubai: South Africa’s Chad le Clos and Cameron van der Burgh are heading to Dubai for the second stage of the seven-round Fina/Mastbank Swimming World Cup from August 31 to September 1, fresh from their gold medal-winning performances at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Le Clos, 22, won gold medals in the 100-metre and 200m butterfly, one silver in the 4x100m relay, and four bronzes in the 50m butterfly, 200m individual medley, 4x200m freestyle relay and the 4x100m medley relay.

Meanwhile, Van der Burgh, 26, won gold in the 50m breaststroke, silver in the 100m breaststroke and bronze in the 4x100m medley relay.

The swimmers will have little time to celebrate their Commonwealth Games successes, however, as they now re-focus for the Swimming World Cup series. This starts in Doha from August 27 to 28, before going on to Dubai, Hong Kong, Moscow, Beijing, Tokyo and the last leg in Singapore, on November 1-2.

Le Clos is the defending Swimming World Cup champion and will be hoping for a repeat performance, especially as he prepares for the 14th Fina World Swimming Championships (25m) in Doha from December 3 to 7.

Dubai will host the second round of the series, and while the final entry list is yet to be confirmed, many Olympic, world and Commonwealth champions have indicated they will be among the world-class field.

Ahmad Al Falasi, President of the UAE Swimming Association and Chairman of the Organising Committee, said: “We are looking forward to seeing the best in the world competing in Dubai again. The performances at the Commonwealth Games have been wonderful and show that the swimmers will be in great form and the competition will be tough.”

Ahmad Al Sharif, General Secretary of Dubai Sports Council, added: “It is very exciting to see the swimmers performing so well at the Commonwealth Games, and this promises some great contests here later this month. We encourage sports fans to witness this exciting competition at the Hamdan Sports Complex.”

The Swimming World Cup is contested in a 25m pool and sees both men and women vying for prize money in each of the 36 events. The overall men’s and women’s series winner also receives $100,000 (Dh367,000).

The event will see teams from over 30 countries competing for honours.