The FINA Swimming World Cup is bringing world-class swimmers to Dubai for two days as part of the Middle East cluster of short course swimming meets.
From August 31 to September 1, a total of 36 events will run with swimmers competing in preliminary rounds in the morning and finals in the evening.
The World Cup started as an international series in 1988-89 and is open to all swimmers from FINA member countries.
The circuit will distribute a total of $2 million (Dh7.34m) of prize money, with $150,000 (Dh550,965) up for grabs in Dubai and across each individual location, including Doha, Hong Kong, Moscow, Beijing, Tokyo and Singapore where the World Cup will conclude in November.
Dubai is the second stop after Doha as part of the Gulf region cluster and will host the event at Hamdan Sports Complex in the 10- lane, 25-metre competition pool.
Returning for the World Cup are champions Chad Le Clos of South Africa and Katinka Hosszu of Hungary.
In last year’s event, Hosszu dominated the field, setting six world records and winning 32 events to easily claim first place in the women’s standings by an astronomical 537 points. Clos, meanwhile, finished at the top for the men with 574 points, beating Russia’s Vladimir Morozov.
The competition will consist of individual events for both men and women with freestyle in 50m, 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m (women only) and 1500m (men only). Backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly will be distances of 50m, 100m and 200m, while the individual medley will have 100m, 200m and 400m.
There will also be two mixed relay events – the 4x50m medley mixed and 4x50m freestyle mixed – which there will be no prize money for.
In the 34 individual races, the winner will receive $1,500 (Dh5,509), with second place earning $1,000 (Dh3,673) and third $500 (Dh1,836). An added bonus is offered for each new world record set at an event, with a prize of $10,000 (Dh36,731).
There will be separate rankings for men and women for their overall performance throughout the World Cup, based on points, with the top finisher netting $100,000 (Dh367,310), second place receiving $50,000 (Dh183,655) and third $30,000 (Dh110,193).
The preliminary heats will take place at 10:00 and the finals will begin at 17:30. Tickets for the general public are available for Dh40 and can be bought online at www. platinumlist.net.
Don’t miss the chance to catch some of the top swimmers in action during the two-day showcase.
What: FINA Swimming World Cup
Where: Hamdan Sports Complex, Dubai
When: August 31 to September 1
Contact: Purchase tickets at www.platinumlist.net and visit www.fina.org for more information
