Virginia Swimming Program Well Represented at World University Games

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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The University of Virginia swimming program is well represented at the 2009 World University Games where the opening ceremonies were held Wednesday in Belgrade, Serbia.

Virginia head swimming coach Mark Bernardino is serving as the coach for the United States men’s team, which also includes junior Scot Robison, while fellow Cavalier David Karasek is competing with the Swiss team. Swimming events begin July 5 and run through July 11.

The sport program of the 25th World University Games consists of 13 basic sports and two optional sports. Some 6,300 athletes will compete, accompanied by 2,700 coaches and more than 1,300 judges will judge their performances. Athletes will be coming from 142 countries and the best among them will take home 461 gold medals.

Swimmers will train and compete in the swimming pools of Sports & Recreational Center, also called the “Tasmajda.” The outdoor competition swimming pool has eight lanes and is 50 meters in length.

The Virginia swimming program has had a long line of participants at the World University Games. Former Cavaliers Ryan Hurley and Pat Mellors both competed at the 2007 event in Thailand and seven different swimmers have represented the U.S. at the WUGs since 1999.

For more information, visit the official website of the 2009 World University Games.