One year countdown to Gold Coast's hosting the Pan Pacific Swimming Championships

The Gold Coast's swimming elite have celebrated the one year countdown until they compete in front of a home crowd at the 2014 Pan Pacific Swimming Championships.

With the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre currently being redeveloped, the updated facility will make its international debut as the host venue for the event.

Inspecting on site progress, Olympian Chris Wright said competing at the new aquatic centre would give the Australian squad an extra edge, stating "the new aquatic centre will be right up there with the world's best swimming venues and a home crowd will give the Australian team a big boost.

"The Pan Pacs is one of the premier meets in world swimming, with some of the strongest swimming nations competing, so it's a big deal to be representing your country at this event.

"My goal is to not only be competitive at the Pan Pacs next August - swimming at a home Commonwealth Games in 2018 would also be very special."

Swimming Australia Chief Executive Mark Anderson said the charter nations of Australia, Japan, Canada and the US met recently during the FINA World Championships in Spain and all four teams were looking forward to a fantastic event on the Gold Coast.

Anderson explained "everyone is looking forward to competing on the Gold Coast next year. The visiting teams were all very interested to hear how development is progressing for the new aquatic centre at Southport, as well as the many attractions and activities availability to them on the Gold Coast.

"As well as the best swimmers in the world from the US, Japan and Canada, we also expect to attract many more from our fellow pan pacific nations including Brazil, South Africa, New Zealand, South Korea and China for what promises to be a great swim meet, and a fantastic event in a brand new facility.

"Many of our current stars on the Australian Swim Team hail from South East Queensland and they are all looking forward to swimming for Australia on the Gold Coast."

The Pan Pacific Swimming Championships will be held on the Gold Coast from 20th to 25th August 2014.

Time lapse imagery of the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre redevelopment can be viewed at http://rixryan.dphoto.com/#/album/67e30k/photo/17517079 

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