By Sports Reporter/Doha
Preparations at the Hamad Aquatic Center are in full swing for the FINA Swimming World Cup (SWC) to be held on October 20 and 21.
Qatar Swimming Association President Khalil al-Jabir, who is also the Chairman of the Organizing Committee, said in a press release that Doha is ready again to welcome the FINA family with open arms.
“We’re proud to be a part of this elite FINA World Series. I’m delighted to say that we’re well prepared for another FINA Swimming World Cup edition. Just like the past year we hope to witness thrilling battles in the Hamad Aquatic Center pool water soon,” al-Jabir said.Last year, D oha was the second stop-over and Hungarian Katinka Hosszu had set the Hamad Aquatic Center on fire, winning multiple events. Later, the 400m Individual Medley World Record holder went on to become the FINA Best Female Swimmer of the Year 2012.
Olympic and World champions Chad le Clos (South Africa) and Oussama Mellouli (Tunisia) are among the male giants that will light up the Doha edition. Both le Clos, who defeated American legend Michael Phelps and won the 200m Butterfly gold medal in the London Olympic Games, and Mellouli are in top shape this season.
The South African world record holder le Clos bagged a double in the 100m Butterfly and 200m Butterfly races in the World Championships in Barcelona. The Tunisian, who has a big fan following in Qatar, won the 5-km and finished third in 10-km in the Spanish capital. This season, Magyar Mermaid Hosszu appears in blistering form. Fresh from a double World Championship success in Barcelona, she has been unstoppable; setting world records in 100m, 200m and 400m Individual Medleys in the first two events in Eindhoven and Berlin.
After the Moscow competition (October 12 and 13, 2013), the FINA SWC Tour will stay in Asia and five competitions are scheduled in Dubai, Doha, Singapore, Tokyo and Beijing before this year’s competition comes to an end on November 14.
Fans who wish to see the swimming stars in action may book their seats at the Hamad Aquatic Center or at Virgin Megastores. Each day, there will be two sessions – the morning session (heats) and the evening session (finals). The morning session will begin at 10 am, while the evening session kicks off at 6 pm. Fans may enter the venue only 90 minutes before the session commences. Tickets sale at the venue is scheduled to start on October 18 between 8am and 8pm.
