Katinka Hosszu (left) of Hungary and Oussama Mellouli of Tunisia
Doha: Ticket sale for the upcoming FINA Swimming World Cup (SWC) 2013 has began, according to Qatar Swimming Federation (QSF).
The two-day short course meeting, featuring World and Olympic champions, will be staged at the Hamad Aquatic Center pool at Aspire Zone, on October 20 and 21.
The ticket sale for the two-day event started on October 6 at the Virgin Megastores.
Fans who wish to see swimming stars in action in tweo session each day.
The morning session will consits of heats and the evening session will host the finals. The morning session will begin at 10 am, while the evening session kicks off at 6 pm, says a press release from QSF
Fans willbe allowed to enter the venue only 90 minutes before the session commences. Tickets sale at the venue is scheduled to start on October 18 and the timings are 8 am to 8 pm.
The QSF, headed by Khalil Al Jabir, is eagerly waiting for the event.
Al Jabir, who is also the Chairman of the Organising Committee, said 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.
“We are extremely excited with this year’s meet as a big number of stars will be present here competing for medals and against the watch. We always wish to provide a rich and competitive atmosphere for both swimmers and fans. This will not be a different edition, I assure you. As you all know as last year, we’re going to organize the World Short Course Championship and we’ll try our best to offer the same feeling to the participants and spectators as last year,” Al Jabir added.
Last year, Doha 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 of South Africa and Oussama Mellouli of 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 on October 12 and 13, 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.
The Peninsula
