FINA Announces Three-Event Champions Swim Series For '19

FINA announced invitations were sent to national federations with athletes selected for the first edition of the new FINA event, the "Champions Swim Series." Forty-five male swimmers from 15 nations and 37 female competitors from 17 countries were formally invited to take part in the three-leg circuit. The first event will take place in Guangzhou, China, on April 27-28; Budapest, Hungary, will follow on May 11-12; and Indianapolis will close the inaugural edition on May 31-June 1. All three meets will be swum in a 50m pool. The list of selected athletes includes Rio 2016 medalists, Budapest 2017 World Championships medalists, world record holders and leaders of the 2018 FINA World Swimming Ranking. Individual races include 50m, 100m and 200m in freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly, as well as the 400m free and 200m IM, for men and women. Prize money will be paid in each individual race -- first place wins $10,000, second place $8,000, third place $6,000 and fourth place $5,000 (FINA).