Australia’s biggest swimming stars are set go head-to-head at the 2023 World Championship Trials in Melbourne this week, thanks to support from the Andrews Labor Government.
Minister Tourism, Sport, and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos joined Swimming Australia on the eve of the premier event which will take place at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre (MSAC) from 13 to 18 June.
Thousands of fans are expected to turn out to catch a glimpse of their favourite athletes including Ariarne Titmus, Kyle Chalmers, Zac Stubblety-Cook, Kaylee McKeown, Mollie O’Callaghan, Cody Simpson and Lani Pallister.
Local heroes will also compete, including Sam Williamson who won one gold, two silver and a bronze medal at last year’s Commonwealth Games.
More than 500 athletes will take part in 236 races across 12 sessions of racing in pursuit of a place on the Australian swimming team – the Dolphins – ahead of the World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka, Japan next month.
The event will help showcase MSAC as a premier sporting facility and share Melbourne’s story via the national broadcast.
The trials are the largest domestic swimming event in Australia and joins a blockbuster calendar of sporting events in Melbourne this winter including the FIFA Women’s World Cup, Australian Grand Prix and Bledisloe Cup.
In 2019, Victoria’s calendar of major events delivered $2.5 billion in economic value for the state. Major events drive interstate and international visitation and help put Victoria on the global stage.
As stated by Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos
“We’re hosting some of the country’s biggest and best swimming stars – right here in the major events capital of Australia.”
“Our state-of-the-art sporting facilities continue to attract blockbuster events to the state, helping to support thousands of local businesses and jobs.”
As stated by Swimming Australia Interim CEO Steve Newman
“The road to the World Championships in Japan starts here, and we are thrilled to be back in Melbourne and to have the support of Visit Victoria and the Victorian Government.”
“Swimming is delighted to kickstart a bumper month of world-class sport here in the Victorian capital and for our athletes this is the start of a big 12 months starting with the World Championships next month and culminating in the Paris 2024 Olympics.”
