Approximately 70 athletes from 32 countries will compete in the ‘Good Luck Beijing 2008 Olympic Games Marathon Swimming Qualification 2008’ that will be held on May 31-June 1. Coinciding with the qualification event is a separate invitational 10km competition for both men and women, which begins 20mins after the start of the qualifier. Thus, some athletes on site will be seeking a berth to the inaugural Olympic marathon swimming event this August, some will be there just for the experience of swimming on an Olympic site, while others (those who have already earned Olympic qualification) will be there to test the course and practice in advance of the big event in August.

Regardless of the athletes’ motives, the races will be both entertaining and exciting. For those who missed gaining Olympic qualification at the 5th FINA World Open Water Swimming Championships in Seville (ESP) from May 3-8 (either through a top-10 finish or through continental representation procedures), this is the last chance to do it. It is also a grand opportunity for up-and-coming open water swimmers from around the world to test their skills against the best in a thrilling environment. And of course, this event is crucial for organisers of the Bejing Olympic Games to try-out their beautiful Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing and Marathon Swimming Park facilities.

The entry list of competitors indicates the races will be intense. Just to name a few to watch in the women’s field, Chloe Sutton and Kirsten Groome from the USA will be seeking a solid result, as well as Kristel Kobrich (CHI), Andreina and Yanel Pinto from Venezuela, Alejandra Gonzalez and Imelda Martinez of Mexico, Rita Kovacs and Erika Hajnal of Hungary, and Teja Zupan (SLO), who finished a very respectable 13th in Seville. Melissa Gorman (AUS) and Poliana Okimoto (BRA) are also expected to compete, both of whom have qualified for Beijing.

In the men’s field, Diego Nogueira (ESP), the 12th place finisher in Seville, will swim, as well as the legendary Petar Stoychev (BUL), Damian Blaum (ARG), Luis Escobar (MEX), Jakub Fichtl and Rostislav Vitek (CZE), and Chad Ho (RSA). Additionally, a Chinese group of swimmers will be looking to impress at home, including Li Xue in the women’s field, and Lijun Zu among the men. The women’s races take place on Saturday, May 31 at 09:00 for the qualifier and 09:20 for the invitational. The men’s races take place the following day at the same times.