Olympic swimmers for S'pore World Cup

Some of swimming's brightest talents will aim to make a splash at the Fina Swimming World Cup in Singapore next month.

Rising stars such as triple Olympic champion Ranomi Kromowidjojo and the Hungarian Katinka Hosszu, dubbed the "Iron Lady" for entering in multiple events, have confirmed their attendance for the Nov 5-6 showpiece at the Singapore Sports School.

Olympic 200m butterfly champion Chad le Clos is also expected to put his name down soon for the sixth leg of the eight-series World Cup.

Singapore's very own Tao Li, Amanda Lim and Mylene Ong will also be competing at the short- course event.

The Republic kicks off the first leg of the Asian cluster, which includes China and Japan.

The winners of the Asian series stand to win a total prize pot of US$306,000 (S$384,000), a three-fold increase from last year. This will be equally shared between the top six-ranked men and women.

Ang Peng Wee, organising chairman of the Singapore leg, said: "Year on year, for the past seven years, the event has always delivered exceptional swimming action bringing Olympic medallists, world champions and world record holders under one roof.

"There is no other event like the Fina Swimming World Cup in Singapore."

Three-time Olympian Hosszu, 24, has been in fine form, setting world records in the 100m, 200m and 400m individual medley at recent World Cup events. She also picked up two golds (200m and 400m IM) at this year's world championships in Barcelona.

Dutch star Kromowidjojo, 23, has built her reputation since winning Olympic gold last year in the 50m and 100m freestyle. She also triumphed in the 4x100m freestyle relay at the 2008 Games.

For the hosts, up and coming swimmers such as Samantha Yeo and Darren Lim will also be striving for podium spots and personal bests ahead of December's SEA Games in Myanmar.

nsanjay@sph.com.sg

Get a copy of The Straits Times or go to straitstimes.com for more stories.