Olympic Swimming Program Extended To 8 Days -- November 21, 1998

The swimming program for the 2000 Olympic Games has been extended from seven to eight days. FINA approved the change at a meeting in Switzerland in the wake of a FINA decision to re-introduce semifinals at the Olympic Games.

Several countries, including Australia, lobbied FINA to extend the program by a day to stop multi-event swimmers from burnout.

Australia's Michael Klim, named best swimmer at this year's World Championships after winning 7 medals, had also pleaded to have the program changed.