Feb. 18, 2011

Mizzou Aquatic Center-- Swimming's Olympic and World Champions hit the water at the Mizzou Aquatic Center Friday, February 18 through Monday, February 21, 2011 to compete in the Missouri Grand Prix. A strong showing in the 2011 Grand Prix Series is a critical step for the sports' elite athletes to make it to the 2011 FINA World Championships in Shanghai, China.

Past participants include Olympians Ryan Lochte, Natalie Coughlin, Cullen Jones, Michael Phelps, and Dara Torres as well as other members of the USA National Team along with international competitors such as Kosuke Kitajima of Japan and Kirsty Coventry from Zimbabwe.

The Mizzou Aquatic Center's reputation for having FAST WATER is certainly well-earned as a number of World, American and US Open records have been set at the Missouri Grand Prix in years past. These include Michael Phelps' 200M Butter- fly World Record, Katie Hoff's 200M Freestyle American Record, and Kirsty Coventry's 200M Backstroke World Record, which hadn't be broken in 16 years.

USA Swimming's new time standards for qualifying are the most difficult ever, making this year's Missouri Grand Prix the most competitive yet. Spectators in the Mizzou Aquatic Center are closer to the action and the athletes than at any other contest of this caliber. It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Mid-Missourians to experience an Olympic-style event with world-class athletes for an affordable price.

The Missouri Grand Prix has a significant economic impact. Athletes, coaches, judges, families and guests fill hundreds of area hotel rooms, eat thousands of meals and spend quality time in the District between events. Swimnetwork/USA Swimming will air live coverage of the competition.

For more information including race times, ticket prices and athlete profiles visit www.missourigrandprix.com