The swimming competition at the current Fifth Chinese City Games was ratified by FINA, the world governing body of the sport, as an eligible qualification for next year's Olympic Games, Chinese officials confirmed on Monday.

Shang Xiutang, vice president of the Chinese Swimming Association (CSA), said that the swimmers can compete in Athens Olympic Games if they reach the Olympic A standard in Changsha.

"The Chinese City Games was added recently by FINA to two other qualifications held in China. One was finished in Tianjin in last April, and the only other one is next year's spring national championships," Shang said.

Tipped as the cradle of future talents, the quadrennial sports gala has been served as the springboard for many world-class swimmers, like former world champion Chen Yan, women's 400 meters individual world record holder.

"It is an important event to test both our star swimmers and young talents. We hope that more Chinese swimmers are able to earn tickets to Athens Olympic Games here in Changsha, "he said.

A total of 439 swimmers compete at the eight-day swimming competition, which started on October 19.

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