2 December 2003

The city that is arguably the home of South African swimming becomes the first ever South African host of a World Cup swimming event this weekend.

• For a wrap-up of the event, see: Ryk delivers on his promise

The first leg took place in Daejon, South Korea on 24–25 November and the second leg in Melbourne, Australia on 28–30 November. The third leg takes place in Durban from 5-7 December.

Among the stars that have emerged from South Africa's east coast city are double Olympic gold medal winner Penny Heyns, Olympic silver medallist Terence Parkin, and fellow Olympians Brendan Dedekind, Nicholas Folker and Julia Russell.

Durban is also home to top swimmers from other provinces around South Africa because it is an ideal place in which to train.

The Durban World Cup event will be staged at the Kings Park Aquatic Centre, that features seating for 4 000 spectators - although for the purposes of the World Cup event there will be seating for approximately 2 000 spectators only, because the 50- by 25-metre pool will be converted into a 25-metre pool for short course racing.

The president of Swimming South Africa, Gideon Sam, is predicting that Durban will provide a memorable World Cup competition. Given the city's ideal climate for watersports, and its inhabitants' love of them, it's the perfect venue for the world's top swimmers.

The city has been granted a leg on the World Cup circuit not just for 2003, but for the next three years, and that will hopefully provide a huge boost to swimming in South Africa and draw the superstars of the sport to the country.

All World Cup events take place in a short course pool – 25 metres long – and the programme at each venue is the same. Prize money is on offer for each race, while additional prize money is awarded at the conclusion of the series for the overall best performances.

170 countries are affiliated to the International Swimming Federation (FINA), and each country that enters the World Cup series is obliged to enter at least four swimmers for each of the eight legs.

Swimming South Africa CEO Dave Norman says the importance of hosting a World Cup event should not be underestimated. He reckons a successful competition will help promotes South Africa's case for hosting major international sporting events in future, such as the Olympics and the Commonwealth Games.

Maybe South African fans will get to see Michael Phelps and Ian Thorpe – the pretender and the king, undoubtedly two of the most exciting talents in swimming today – in action as they prepare for the Olympic Games in 2004. Maybe speed freak Inge de Bruijn will grace the event, or the versatile and brilliant Natalie Coughlin.

Watch this space, because big time swimming is coming to Durban from this weekend

The FINA Swimming World Cup Series 2003/2004:

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 6–8 February 2004

	Breaking the surface, swimming great Penny Heyns powers to Olympic gold.

	Ryk delivers on his promise SA's Presidents Cup flows over Natalie's star shines brightest Nurturing SA's black swimmers South African sports trivia Games' highest honour for Natalie Head for Durban beachfront Durban International Airport Midmar Mile Swimming: Penny Heyns

	Durban World Cup  Swimming South Africa  International Swimming Federation

2010 World Cup SA The world's biggest sporting event after the Olympic Games is coming to South Africa.