GENEVA, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- World Aquatics and Uzbekistan are working closely to prepare for the country's first-ever Swimming World Cup, which will be held in 50 days.
"Taking the Swimming World Cup to Uzbekistan for the first time ever is a very exciting milestone for World Aquatics," said World Aquatics President Husain Al Musallam on Wednesday. "The combination of world-class facilities and warm hospitality will ensure the athletes have an amazing experience in and out of the pool. The Silk Road Tour represents a major opportunity to inspire a whole new generation of young swimmers throughout Central Asia."
Tashkent, capital of Uzbekistan, will host the second stop of the World Cup from Oct. 8 to 10, with more than 750 athletes from over 50 countries and regions expected to participate. Swimmers will compete for a share of a 1.2 million U.S. dollar prize pool, along with bonuses for world records and triple crown sweeps. The event will also serve as a competitive lead-in to the 18th World Aquatics Swimming Championships (25m) in Beijing.
"We are honoured, excited and ready to host a memorable World Aquatics Swimming World Cup in Tashkent in 50 days' time. Bringing world-class swimmers to Uzbekistan for the first time is a very special moment," said Otabek Umarov, First Vice President of the National Olympic Committee of Uzbekistan and Vice President of the Olympic Council of Asia. ■