The Kowloon Park pool will be packed to the rafters for the Hong Kong Open Swimming Championships early next month when the territory's elite swimmers will compete in front of home fans.
Almost 2,000 people will fill the venue to cheer on Hong Kong's best, who are mostly school students.
Record-breaking swimmers, including Hannah Wilson, Sze Hang-yu, Yip Tsz-wa, Suen Ka-yi, and Geoffrey Cheah, will take part, building up to the 2006 Asian Games in Doha, now just over 100 days away.
All of Hong Kong's 21 swimmers selected for the Asian Games will compete in the Open from September 1-3. All but five are teenagers.
Hundreds of swimmers from clubs all over Hong Kong will be challenging them in what is the biggest event on the local calendar. The Hong Kong Amateur Swimming Association (HKASA) aims to raise the standard of the Open, and this year also invited nine international teams, including a mainland contingent.
'It's the most important event in Hong Kong and we all want to do our best times,' said Hang-yu, 18. 'It's an exciting event too, as so many people we know will watch us.'
Hong Kong head coach Chan Yiu-hoi says the standard of swimming here is improving, especially among girls.
