Dubai: The world's best swimmers are relishing the prospect of competing in Dubai when the 10th Fina World Swimming Championships get underway from December 15 to 19.
The likes of Kirsty Coventry of Zimbabwe, Ryan Lochte and Jessica Hardy of the United States, Duje Draganja of Croatia, Rebecca Adlington and Liam Tancock of the United Kingdom, Adam Pine of Australia and Marleen Veldhuis of the Netherlands shone at the last championships in Manchester and the organisers will be hoping for more of the same in Dubai.
Preparations are on track for what promises to be a feast of swimming at the Dubai Sports Complex, where construction is well under way. This spectacular new venue is expected to host around 10,000 spectators who can look forward to some top-class swimming action.
"We are very happy with all the preparations so far and are certain that this will be a wonderful event for world swimming — the first of its kind in the Middle East," said Obaid Salem Al Shamsi, Executive Director of the Championships.
Great legacy
"What is even more exciting is the great legacy it will leave in the region. Already we have a programme in place which is tied into the championships, which is teaching 10,000 children to swim.
"Once these budding swimmers see the world's best in action, thrilling the crowds and breaking records, I have no doubt this will have a ripple effect, by inspiring the local youngsters to dream of one day achieving similar feats," added Al Shamsi.
The 10th Fina World Swimming Championships certainly does promise to serve up a feast of speed. At the last staging of the competition, held in Manchester two years ago, the enthusiastic sell-out crowds witnessed a massive 18 world records shattered over the five days of competition.
Tickets for the championships will go on sale from around September, with several exciting activities also planned around the event, and opportunities for local swimming fans to get involved.
