Minister to visit Rome to clinch 1998 World Swimming Championships

25/8/94

Sport and Recreation Minister Norman Moore flies to Rome tomorrow (Friday, August 26) to clinch the 1998 World Swimming Championships for Perth.

Perth is the only city to bid for the prestigious event and Mr Moore will be involved in final meetings and negotiations with officials of the world swimming body FINA.

The meeting at which the decision will be confirmed would be held in Rome this Sunday (August 28).

"Perth has followed the FINA rules and processes to the letter, has the facilities already constructed, the proven expertise and the world reputation required to again host this prestigious international sporting competition," Mr Moore said.

"I anticipate finally sealing the deal for this State and arrangements have already been made for Western Australia's celebratory function in Rome."

Perth was Australia's only nomination, despite the deadline set by Australian Swimming Inc. (the peak body for the sport) having been extended to March this year to allow Sydney to make a bid.

Sydney apparently had financial concerns and was aware of Perth's previous excellent record in staging the 6th World championships in 1991.

The New South Wales Government would require an extra $30 million, on top of the Olympic 2000 expenditure, and would need to construct another international-standard swimming pool to qualify.

Mr Moore said Perth was hailed across the world for its running of the ten-day-long 1991 World Swimming championships which were regarded as better handled than the swimming events at the Barcelona Olympic Games.

"The 1991 championships were an outstanding success and saw 1,600 competitors and officials from 59 countries spend nearly three weeks in WA, generating nearly $27 million for the State's economy.

"The Claremont Superdrome -- home of the WA Institute of Sport -- cemented its reputation as a world-standard sports facility second to none, and is geared up and ready to repeat its brilliant 1991 performance."

During the 6th World Championships a total of nearly 800 media representatives covered the events, with about half travelling here from overseas, making Perth the focus of world sporting attention.

Media contact:  Ross Storey 321 1444 / 222 9595 - mobile:  018 950 142