June 3, 2010: Dubai, UAE - The arrangements for the 10th Fina World Swimming Championships (25m) wowed visiting USA swim team co-ordinator.

Candi MacConaugha was very impressed with the local operations and found the hotels excellent and the venue “state of the art’. The largest swimming squad in the world is still to be selected and names will be released in August. Candi said that the swimmers are very excited about coming to Dubai and feels confident that the Hotels she viewed will make her team happy and comfortable.“ If they are enjoying their stay they will perform better and hopefully break some more records. There are quite a few Olympic swimmers in the squad so the event from the 15th to 19th December should be very exciting. She went on to say that it is encouraging to see how international swimming has become and the American squad boasts swimmers from all over the world.

MacConaugha was delighted with the Arabic hospitality and is looking forward to immersing her team in the traditions of the country when they arrive.

She was very complimentary about the new Dubai Sports Complex, saying that the stadium was amazing and the designers and developers had taken every consideration into account to make the stadium suitable from every aspect for both the competitors and spectators.

The spectacular new venue, which is currently under construction, is due for completion after the summer. With a capacity of 10,000 for the Championships, this promises to be an event to remember on Dubai’s ever-growing sports calendar. The team co-ordinator felt the stadium would be a huge crowd draw along with some of the worlds most exciting swimming.

Hessa Al Kous, marketing co-ordinator for the Dubai 2010 Organising committee highlighted the PR events to educate the youth in Dubai and bring swimming into focus for all children in the country.

Raising awareness of the importance of physical activity as a healthier lifestyle is something very close to the heart of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President of the UAE, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.

And it is with this in mind that the Dubai Sports Council set to work to increase the number of swimmers in Dubai to promote a healthy lifestyle in the city.

Earlier this year, the Dubai Sports Council, in coordination with the UAE Swimming Association, launched a vital programme to achieve this through creating an incentive system for schools and clubs which are nurturing new swimmers.

Candi Mac Conaugha has been in Dubai for only a couple of days but is very pleased with the progress and feels sure that Dubai will become a swimming venue , not just for the 10th Fina World Swimming Championships (25m) to be held from 15th to 19th December 2010 but for future International swimming events as well.

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Picture 1 (Left to Right): Hessa Al Kous, Marketing Co-ordinator, Dubai 2010 Organising Committee; Rashid Al Kamali, Commercial Director, Dubai Sports Council; Lynne Bates AM, Chief Operating Officer, Dubai 2010 Organising Committee; Candi Mac Conaugha, Games Prep Co-ordinator, USA Swimming; Obaid Salem Al Shamsi, Tournament Director, Dubai 2010 Organising Committee; Nasser Aman Al Rahma, Director of Culture & Social Activities Affairs, Dubai Sports Council.

Picture 2 (Left to Right): Dr. Ahmed Al Sharif, Secretary General, Dubai Sports Council; Candi Mac Conaugha, Games Prep Co-ordinator, USA Swimming; Obaid Salem Al Shamsi, Championships Director, Dubai 2010 Organising Committee.