Eight of the biggest stars of swimming have committed to participate in all stops of the FINA Swimming World Cup that begins next month.
According to FINA, Thomas Ceccon (ITA), Kyle Chalmers (AUS), Nic Fink (USA), Anastasia Gorbenko (ISR), Siobhan Haughey (HKG), Louise Hansson (SWE), Kylie Masse (CAN) and defending men’s FINA Swimming World Cup overall series winner Matthew Sates (RSA) will all compete across the three legs of this year’s tour calendar with an overall prize purse of USD $1.2 million before factoring in for bonuses.
Other star swimmers are scheduled to appear at different stops, and possibly all the stops, but this group of eight has committed to each stop.
According to the release, additional financial incentives include a $10,000 world record bonus as well as a $10,000 bump in pay for athletes that complete a “crown” by winning the same event in all three city stops.
The tour begins in a month in Berlin (21-23 October) before heading over to North America for events in Toronto (28-30 October) and Indianapolis (3-5 November).
Last year in Berlin, Sates helped secure his overall win with two world junior record-setting performances in the 200m IM and 200m freestyle. The long-time FINA Swimming World Cup tour host of Berlin – a city that’s set to hold its 20th event since 2000 – adds a special wrinkle by also bringing the FINA Diving World Cup into town and into the same venue ensuring there’s non-stop aquatics action.
Canada and the USA will see both Toronto and Indianapolis re-join the FINA Swimming World Cup as hosts for the first time since 1988.
For members of the confirmed “Elite Eight” international swimming stars, this trifecta of races, prizes and experiences outside the pool helped seal their participation across the entire 2022 season.
“Not only did I set a world record during last year’s Swimming World Cup, but the experience both in and out of the competitive arena helped turn some good-natured rivalries into friendships,” Chalmers told FINA. “I’m looking forward to setting some more super-fast times in the 25m pool as well as really enjoying the sideline activities. I hear we have a sweet programme line-up so I’m looking to find out what Berlin, Toronto and Indianapolis have in store.”
Sweden’s Louise Hansson says Berlin, Toronto and Indianapolis are among her all-time favourite places to race.
“I’m very excited to be swimming the whole world cup series this year. I have been to all three pools and have had a great experience in each place,” Hansson told FINA. “Berlin is one of my favourite pools and has been for many years. Last year I swam the World Cup in Berlin and set several personal bests so I’m very excited to go back again this year.
“Likewise, I had a great NCAA in Indianapolis and swam for the World Championships trials a few years back in Toronto,” added Hansson. “I’m excited to start a new season with lots of fun competitions and having fans in the stands.”