Lausanne (SUI), July 8, 2011 – With one week to go for the start of the FINA World Championships 2011, to be held in Shanghai (CHN), from July 16-31, FINA is pleased to announce that a new record of countries will be established for the 14th edition of FINA’s premier event. No less than 181 nations have registered for this competition, a figure that improves the previous record of 172 countries present in Rome 2009.

In terms of athletes, the 14th FINA World Championships 2011, the first ones in history to have qualifying standard times in Swimming, will be attended by around 2220 competitors (in Rome 2009, 2438 athletes were present). 

During the 16-day competition, 40 finals will be held in Swimming (July 24-31), 10 in Diving (July 16-24), seven in Synchronised Swimming (July 17-23), six in Open Water Swimming (July 19-23) and two in Water Polo (July 17-30). 

The venues of the 14th FINA World Championships 2011 will be located in the Oriental Sports Centre, in the Pudong area, and comprise an Indoor Stadium for Swimming and Synchronised Swimming, the Natatorium for Water Polo, and an Outdoor Pool for Diving. The Open Water Swimming events will be held in the Jinshan City Beach.

The TV production of the championships will be assured, in High Definition, by CCTV, and the images of the competition will be broadcasted in over 190 territories.