Dutch triple Olympic Champion Pieter van den Hoogenband joins Eurosport as swimming consultant for FINA World Championships and London 2012 Olympics

Paris, July 8, 2011 - Eurosport's Road to London 2012 starts in Shanghai with the Swimming FINA World Championships taking place from 24-31 July. This competition marks Eurosport’s first blockbuster event on the road to London 2012, just one year before the start of the much awaited Olympics Games.

Eurosport will bring comprehensive coverage of the best swimming action direct from Shanghai with over 50 hours of live broadcast. Coverage will be enhanced with the expertise of Eurosport’s exclusive star consultant and swimming ambassador, Pieter van den Hoogenband, who will be on-site and immersed to guide fans through the whole competition.

Pieter van den Hoogenband, better known as "VDH", joins the Eurosport team as swimming ambassador for this event and all swimming coverage on the channel up to and including London 2012.

In Shanghai, VDH will be on air after each LIVE session to give his analysis, predictions and insight on the competition and athletes in a dedicated on site 15-minute LIVE programme "POOL TALK”. He will work alongside Eurosport's on site crew who will be at the heart of the action gathering all reactions LIVE from the mixed zone immediately after each race. VDH’s expertise and daily video highlights will also be available on eurosport.com websites.

Eurosport's FINA World Championships coverage: key facts

Diving events: 16-24 July

All diving finals broadcast on Eurosport, LIVE or delayed.

Swimming events: 24-31 July, including VDH's expertise

All swimming heats LIVE in the night at 03:00 - 05:30 CET.
All swimming finals LIVE at 12:00 - 14:00 CET
Highlights at 17:00 - 18:00 CET

50 hours of LIVE HD action

About Pieter van den Hoogenband

Born: March 13th 1978 in Maastricht, Netherlands
Disciplines: Freestyle, butterfly

World records: 5 (100m, 200m freestyle, 4x50m freestyle relay)

Olympic Games: 7 medals - 3 gold, 2 silver, 2 bronze

* 50m freestyle : 3rd (2000)
* 100m freestyle : 1st (2000, 2004), 4th (1996)
* 200m freestyle : 1st (2000), 2nd (2004), 4th (1996)
* 4x100m freestyle relay : 2nd (2004)
* 4x200m freestyle relay : 3rd (2000)

World Championships: 10 medals - 8 silver, 2 bronze

* 50m freestyle : 2nd (2001), 3rd (2003)
* 100m freestyle : 2nd (2001, 2003)
* 200m freestyle : 2nd (2001, 2003, 2007), 3rd (1998)
* 4x100m freestyle relay : 2nd (2001)
* 4x200m freestyle relay : 2nd (1998)

European Championships: 19 medals - 10 gold, 5 silver, 4 bronze

World Short Course Championships: 3 medals - 1 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze

European Short Course Championships: 14 medals - 8 gold, 4 silver, 2 bronze