World Short Course Championships Manchester

The countdown has begun to Manchester's biggest sporting event since the 2002 Commonwealth Games. In April this year the world's best swimmers will come together for the FINA World Swimming Championships.

The event promises to be like no other swim meet with two huge temporary pools being built in the world's most popular concert venue - The M.E.N Arena, where the likes of Madonna and U2 have played.

650 athletes from 120 different countries will be in Manchester for the 5 day event which will be the first world swimming championships of its kind to come to the UK. The eyes of the world will be on Manchester as some of the planet's best swimmers use the Championships to hone their skills for Beijing just a few months later.

British swimmers often do very well at short course events, a bit of home support can't fail to lift them to some medal winning record breaking performances. They'll have to get past, Michael Phelps, the world's best swimmer, though!!

To find out more check out www.manchester2008.com and www.manchester2008.com/tickets

Remember... tickets are selling out fast! Speedy the World Championships Mascot will be on Facebook today - why don't you make friends?