Perth's bid to host 1998 World Swimming Championships approved

29/8/94

Perth has won the right to stage the prestigious World Swimming Championships in 1998.

The decision was made in Rome last night, Perth time, by a meeting of world swimming's governing body FINA.

FINA approved Perth's bid after hearing final submissions from a Western Australian delegation headed by Sport and Recreation Minister Norman Moore.

Mr Moore said he was able to convince FINA delegates that Perth was ideally suited to hold the international championships again, even though they were previously held in Perth in 1991.

"I am delighted with FINA's decision which acknowledges Perth's international reputation for swimming facilities and ability to organise and run such a major world competition," Mr Moore said.

"The 1991 championships saw 1,600 competitors from about 60 countries spend nearly three weeks in WA, generating nearly $27 million for the State's economy.  There is every reason to expect that the 1998 championships will be even more beneficial to WA."

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