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The following is issued on behalf of the Provisional Urban Council:-

Renowned swimmers from all over the world will gather at Hong Kong to compete for the top honours in the CTS 4th World Swimming Championships at the Hong Kong Coliseum between April 1 to 4.

The event, the largest scale of its kind ever held in Hong Kong, is jointly organised by the Provisional Urban Council and the Hong Kong Amateur Swimming Association (HKASA), with the support of the Hong Kong Sports Development Board and Hong Kong Tourist Association and sponsorship from China Travel Services (Holdings) Hong Kong Ltd.

More than 600 swimmers from about 70 countries will participate in the Championships. Among them are the various world short course record holders including Alexander Popov, Ian Thorpe, Grant Hacken, Michael Klim, James Hickman, Matthew Dunn and Xue Han.

A 25-metre portable swimming pool has been purposely built for the the first time in the fully air-conditioned Hong Kong Coliseum to accommodate such a prestigious high-level swimming event since its opening.

Besides, a warm down pool has also been set up outdoors in the adjacent piazza surrounding the stadium for the swimmers to use for warm up and cool down purposes during the competition.

The four-day event will also provide tens of thousands of local and overseas spectators with an excellent opportunity to see at one time the many first-class swimmers from all over the world competing for the top honours and demonstrating their superior swimming skills as well as to share the funs of swimming activities at the same moment.

Tickets at $280, $180, $100 and $50 are now available at all URBTIX outlets. Enquiries can be made on 2572 8594 and reservations at 2734 9009.

End/Monday, March 29, 1999

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