MELBOURNE, Australia, July12. THE finals session of the 2007 World Championships to be held in Melbourne, Australia, will remain in the evening after officials from both the United States and Europe turned down requests by television interests to alter the competition schedule.
FINA released the schedule for the 16-day championship meet held in March with preliminary heats beginning at 10 a.m., and semifinals and finals starting at 7 p.m.
“To hold the heats in the morning and the finals and the semifinals of an evening, which is what we're used to, is a great relief,'' Sports Minister for Victoria Justin Madden said. “It's a great win for us to know that these schedules will remain unchanged.''
Meet officials said they plan on more than 2,000 athletes from as many as 175 countries to vie for world titles during the competition. Open water swimming, diving and synchronized swimming will be held during the first week, while indoor racing commences March 25.