Shanghai to Host More International Swimming Meets

The Chinese city Shanghai will host more international swimming meets in the further schedules, according to officials from the Chinese sports authority and FINA during the current World Cup short-course event Tuesday. Shanghai, the fourth leg in World Cup Series in 1999-2000 season, is the first international spot FINA set in the new millennium.

"We hope to have more friends from aboard and to hold more international events in Shanghai," said Li Furong, vice-director of the Chinese Sports Administration.

Gunner Werner, FINA honorary secretary in general, echoed Li's opinion, saying: "Maybe someday Shanghai will be the host of the world championships."

"Shanghai will be written in the FINA's historic book by hosting the first meet in the year 2000," Werner added.

Werner, together with FINA vice-president Hironoshin Fnrnhashi and bureau member Pipat, was pleased to see the efforts against doping made by the Chinese authority.

"We are glad that China has strengthen the strike against doping," he said.

Last year, China conducted 700 doping tests on its swimmers but found no one positive. A total of 3503 tests were conducted in 19999 on Chinese athletes in all sports, and 19 were caught for positive. (Xinhua)


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