SHENZHEN, China - Swimmers of 26th World University Games may slice a quota in the London Olympic Games next year, said Shenzhen Universiade Swimming Technique and Operation manager Shen Yupeng on Tuesday.
"Just like World Championships, swimmers can also qualify for the London Olympics by hitting FINA's standards, which means the fights in this pool will be very tough," said Shen.
Under International University Sports Federation (FISU)'s demand, Chinese Swimming Associations submitted the application from Shenzhen Universiade organizers to world swimming governing body FINA, hoping to entitle the swimming event here as an Olympic qualification competition. The answer came with a "yes" in July.
"That is part of the reason why some World Championships competitors, like those from France and South Africa, flew directly from Shanghai to Shenzhen," said Liu Yongli, the deputy director of the swimming venue.
According to Liu, the timing and scoring system in the just-concluded Shanghai FINA World Championships has already been transported to Shenzhen, along with professional operation staff from the World Championships.
The Shenzhen 2011 Universiade will be held from August 12-23. The six-day swimming event will run from August 14-19, with nearly 700 swimmers from 67 countries and regions applying for attendance.
