From December 13 to 18, the 16th FINA World Swimming Championships (25m) will be contested in Melbourne, Australia.
The greatest swimmers in the world will compete against the Australian Dolphins at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre, which hosted swimming during the 2006 Commonwealth Games.
Over 1,000 competitors from over 180 countries will compete in a world-class swimming spectacle over the course of six days.
Viewers and supporters will be able to see some of Australia’s top personalities compete in heats throughout the day and finals at night.
Olympic champions Kyle Chalmers, Kaylee McKeown, Emma McKeon, and Mack Horton will compete, as will rising star Mollie O’Callaghan.
Former swimming all-stars Ian Thorpe, Ariarne Titmus, and Giaan Rooney will be on hand to provide expert analysis.
Thorpe discussed the excitement surrounding the event and those taking part.
“Kyle Chalmers, Kaylee McKeown, Emma McKeon, and Mack Horton are among the Australian Olympic champions swimming on the short course in Melbourne. It’ll be great to see how they all compete “Thorpe stated.
“There has been a moment of transition with our younger players coming in, such as Mollie O’Callaghan, which has made competition for positions on the team more intense and ultimately raises the standard right across the group.”
“This will be a fierce battle made more exciting by the fact that the format accommodates athletes with various physiques than those who win in the regular 50m pool.” There is a lot more emphasis on the beginnings and twists, which will result in blazing times.”
Wide World of Sports announcer Mat Thompson will join them to call the races live, while Tony Jones and Seb Costello will host the telecast.
The event’s total prize money is $2,160,000 (AU$3,180,848) for the top-ranked swimmers in individual and relay events.
From first through eighth place, it will be divided equally to men and women for both individual and relay teams.
FINA World Swimming Championships How to Watch Free:
Viewers around the world can watch the action live on the following channels and here for free:
Live Broadcast: FINA World Swimming Championships Live (try it free)
When is the FINA World Swimming Championships?
Tuesday, December 13 to Sunday, December 18.
FINA World Swimming Championships TV channel, live stream, start time
| DATE | TIME (AEDT) | WATCH |
| Tuesday, Dec 13 | Heats: 11.00am – 1.00pm Finals: 7.30pm – 10.30pm | Channel 9HD or stream on 9Now |
| Wednesday, Dec 14 | Heats: 11.00am – 1.00pm Finals: 7.30pm – 10.30pm | Channel 9HD or stream on 9Now |
| Thursday, Dec 15 | Heats: 11.00am – 1.00pm Finals: 7.30pm – 10.30pm | Channel 9HD or stream on 9Now |
| Friday, Dec 16 | Heats: 11.00am – 1.00pm Finals: 7.30pm – 10.30pm | Channel 9HD or stream on 9Now |
| Saturday, Dec 17 | Heats: 11.00am – 1.00pm Finals: 7.30pm – 10.30pm | Channel 9HD or stream on 9Now |
| Sunday, Dec 18 | Heats: 11.00am – 1.00pm Finals: 7.30pm – 10.30pm | 9GemHD or stream on 9Now |
Which Australians are competing?
In alphabetical order:
| Male Swimmers | Female Swimmers |
| Grayson Bell | Minna Atherton |
| Kyle Chalmers | Brittany Castelluzzo |
| Shaun Champion | Elizabeth Dekkers |
| Isaac Alan Cooper | Kayla Hardy |
| Alexander Grant | Meg Harris |
| Ty Hartwell | Chelsea Hodges |
| Mack Horton | Emma McKeon |
| Se-Bom Lee | Kaylee McKeown |
| Clyde Lewis | Emilie Muir |
| Thomas Neill | Leah Neale |
| David Schlicht | Mollie O’Callaghan |
| Brendon Peter Smith | Lani Oallister |
| Flynn Zareb Southam | Alexandria Perkins |
| Stuart Swinburn | Jamie Ann Perkins |
| Matthew Temple | Mikayla Maree Smith |
| Sam Williamson | Jenna Strauch |
| Bradley Woodward | Laura Taylor |
| Joshua Yong | Madison Wilson |
Prize Money
For all individual and relay events:
- 1st place – $10,000 US ($14,726 AUD)
- 2nd place – $8,000 US ($11,781 (AUD)
- 3rd place – $7,000 US ($10,308 AUD)
- 4th place – $6,000 US ($8,836 AUD)
- 5th place – $5,000 US ($7,363 AUD)
- 6th place – $4,000 US ($5,890 AUD)
- 7th place – $3,000 US ($4,418 AUD)
- 8th place – $2,000 US ($2,945 AUD)
