MONTE CARLO, Monaco, May 26. THE Mare Nostrum Series, which annually produces high-quality times and sensational fields, is scheduled to begin next week in Monte Carlo, Monaco. The Monaco stop is scheduled for June 4-5 and will be followed by competitions in Canet, France (June 7-8) and Barcelona, Spain (June 10-11). One of the highlights of this year's series is the inclusion of the Australian National Team, featuring the likes of Leisel Jones and Libby Lenton. However, Ian Thorpe just indicated he'll bypass the trip while recovering from a hand injury.
Among the other elite names who are expected to compete during the series are Hungary's Laszlo Cseh and Dani Gyurta. Cseh is the reigning Olympic bronze medalist in the 400 individual medley, an event in which he is the reigning world champion. As for Gyurta, the teenage breaststroker won silver in the 200 distance at the Athens Olympics. Peter Marshall and Margaret Hoelzer are top American athletes scheduled to compete.