The II Copa Internacional de Natación Chorotega (II International Chorotega Swim Cup), which will offer four days of swimming events, will have the participation of over 450 competitors from countries such as Guatemala, Panama and Honduras. The event will be held at the 50-meter pool in Nicoya's Polideportivo, with competitions in the children's, youth and adult categories. The races will begin on Friday, April 15th until April 18th. The II Swim Cup is organized by the Asociación de Natación de Nicoya (Nicoya's Swimming Association). The competition will serve to set new times within the different events of the International Swimming Federation (FINA), with the goal of preselecting a team that will participate in the London 2012 Olympic Games. Diego Fajardo, member of the organizing committee, explained to the VON that "this will be a classifying event for the XXX Olympiad, the London 2012 Olympic Games. Last year we organized the first competition and it was a great success, this year our goal is to achieve a good quality in regards to organization", explained the coach and organizer. 350 swimmers competed in 2010's event.

Last year Nicoya's team came out with 12 medals hanging from its swimmer's necks, giving them the ticket to participate in a competition in Panama.

"It's a reward for the great effort and training hours that we put in every week at the Polideportivo's pool. We wish to achieve more medals at this Cup so that we can be a part of the national team that will participate in the Olympic Games (London 2012). Like my teammates, I feel honored to represent our city", expressed swimmer José Carlos Sequeira, with great joy.

Local competitors Brayan Leal and Kevin Jiménez, who've had the most experience within this discipline, hope to give their best performance during the upcoming Swim Cup.

The four days of competitions won't be only about water, since the organizers have prepared various tradition-filled cultural activities, such as marimbas, the Contradanza dance group, cimarronas, fireworks and a handicrafts exhibition at San Vicente.

Entrance to the events will be free and the competitions will begin at 8 a.m. There is a 7,000 colones, or USD $15 for foreigners, registration fee per swimmer.

Those interested in participating should write to: [email protected] or [email protected]

The competitors will use a 50-meter, 10-lane pool with an anti-waves system (in which the lanes keep the water stable), as well as a paddling pool. Nicoya's swim school, which was opened in 2009, currently has 55 students which include children, teenagers, adults and senior citizens.