(MENAFN- The Peninsula) The world's most powerful swimmers have arrived in Doha ahead of the FINA Mastbank Swimming World Cup Doha - 2014.
Reigning FINA World Cup champions Katinka Hosszu of Hungary and South Africa's Chad Le Clos lined up alongside home crowd favourite Oussama Mellouli of Tunisia at the Hamad Aquatic Centre here yesterday as the city prepared to host two days of incredible action in the water on August 27-28.
Speaking on the eve of the event, President of the Qatar Swimming Association, Khalil Al Jaber, said: "We are looking forward to an action-packed two days ahead where we will witness the strength, power and dedication of so many of the world's best swimmers right here in Doha. As organisers we are committed to growing swimming at all levels and I hope by watching these world-class athletes compete even more (people) will be inspired to take up the sport. This is just the start of an exciting year for swimming in Qatar."
South Africa's Chad Le Clos, the Olympic, World and Commonwealth Games champion, has twice won the Overall Swimming World Cup in 2011 and 2013, making him a force to reckon with in the water. Speaking ahead of the FINA Mastbank Swimming World Cup Doha, Le Clos commented: "Last year in Doha I took three golds and two silver medals so I already feel confident in my performances at the pool here in Hamad Aquatic Centre. I've spent a few days training and relaxing in Doha but now I can't wait to compete again. It's the first race in the series and, personally, I will be looking to make a strong start here and get some important points early on in the series as I defend my overall World Cup title."
"As athletes, we travel all over the world for competitions. Seeing different, new cities is one of the great things about this job and Doha has been very welcoming this week already," he added.
Also defending an overall FINA World Cup title this year is Hungary's 'Iron Lady' Katinka Hosszu. She sped through the 2013 series with six world records, winning 32 events and securing the World Cup Champion female title by an impressive 537 points.
The eyes of the swimming world will be on Doha this year as it becomes the only city in FINA's history to host both a FINA Swimming World Cup and a FINA Swimming World Championships.
Hosszu said: "The facilities at the Hamad Aquatic Centre are excellent - it is a great chance for us to compete here in the same venue that will host the World Championships in December. We have an opportunity to test out the pool and become more familiar with the city which will help our preparations for the World Championships."
"Everybody will be looking to push themselves over the next two days to see what kind of times we can achieve in the pool as we prepare for the World Championships here too - so you can expect some close races."
Arguably the most successful swimmer the MENA region has ever produced, Oussama Mellouli returns to Doha this year not only as a competitor but also in the role of ambassador. He will play an important role in support Qatar's mission to use the power of both the FINA Swimming World Cup and the 12th FINA World Swimming Championships (25m) to be held in Doha December 3-7, to help inspire the next generation of swimmers not only in Qatar but across the region.
The three-time Olympic medallist from Tunisia commented: "2014 offers a fantastic opportunity for Swimming in the Middle East. With a World Cup and a World Championships being hosted in Qatar this year it's crucial that we use the power of those events to inspire talent and leave a legacy for the sport across the region."
"This is a region very close to my heart and so it's great to be back here. I hope the home crowds in Doha will get behind me this weekend and help me perform to my best."
The FINA Swimming World Cup has been in operation since 1979 allowing the best swimmers in the world to compete between Olympic events through a series of two-day meets organized between August and November each year.
Thirty-six events make up this year's competition programme in Doha, including two mixed relay events. Over the course of four months, the World Cup competition series will travel to seven locations across the Middle East, Europe, and Asia and will award $2m in prize money for the world's most elite swimmers.
With Qatar fast developing as a leading swimming nation, this year promises to see both local and international athletes deliver performances in the pool that will land in the record books.
As well as the FINA Mastbank Swimming World Cup, Qatar will also host the 3rd FINA Aquatics Conference (November 29th-December 01, 2014), directly ahead of the 12th FINA World Swimming Championships (December 3-7, 2014).
The upcoming World Cup event is free to attend with tickets available for collection between 8am and 8pm from the Hamad Aquatic Centre. For more, log on to www.qatarswimming.com.
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