Record number of competitors expected for FINA world swimming contest

24/9/97

The Challenge Stadium pool is not the only place where it is hoped world records will be set at the 8th FINA World Swimming Championships.

Sport and Recreation Minister Norman Moore said today that it was hoped to have a record number of nations competing in the world titles from January 8 to 18.

Mr Moore was speaking after taking part in the official launch of the championships at the Challenge Stadium diving pool.

He said that with just over 100 days to go, 102 nations had committed to attend, compared with 59 which came to Perth for the world titles in 1991.

But he said the organisers wanted to break the record of 104 nations set in Rome at the 1994 championships.

They were quietly confident there would be a new record.

"Another key objective is to successfully develop, manage and present to the world an event of the highest international calibre," Mr Moore said.

He said there would be more than 1,200 media representatives reporting on the championships in Perth.

And the television audience was expected to be over three times the 500 million who watched the titles in Perth in 1991.

"Locally, the big push starts today," Mr Moore said.

"There are significant benefits for Western Australia, with between 6,000 and 7,000 visitors expected and an estimated economic impact of $35 million."

The Minister said state-of-the-art facilities also were being developed at Challenge Stadium for the media and public as well as the corporate sector.

He applauded the efforts of all involved in putting the championships together, including the organising committee, various sub-committees and event staff.

"The impact of such a collective commitment will raise and promote the event and our cultural and tourism profiles both within and outside Australia," Mr Moore said.

Media contact: Hartley Joynt (08) 9 321 1444