Over 71,000 at SC Worlds

Swimming World and Junior Swimmer, Nov 2004

Record Attendance. Swimmers weren't the only ones setting records at the short course World Championships in Indianapolis, Oct. 7-11. Attendance for the 10-session, five-day event hit 71,659-well over the goal of 56,000 set by the Indiana Sports Corporation.

Autographs. Lindsay Benko set the record for most autographs signed. At the Swimming World booth, she signed over 2,000, according to official estimates. Close behind: Lenny Krayzelburg, Josh Davis, Maritza Correia, Tara Kirk and Neil Walker.

Big-Time. You know that you've hit the big time when scalpers are scalping your event. By that measure, swimming has arrived.

TV. ESPN provided 11-1/2 hours of coverage, a record for a non-Olympic/Olympic Trials swim meet.

Dedication. The temporary pool that was used for the World Championships was named in honor of Frank McKinney, a two-time Olympic backstroker and Indianapolis business and community leader, who died tragically in a plane crash in 1992. The pool was for sale after the meet.

Disability Competitor. South African Natalie du Toit, who lost her leg in an auto accident a few years ago, competed in Indy, clocking 9:04.84 in the 800 meter free to place 16th.

National Anthems. During the awards ceremonies for each event, the Indianapolis Children's Choir sang the winner's national anthem. The Star-Spangled Banner was sung most often, and the talented choir of sixth- to ninth-graders performed several beautiful versions of Francis Scott Key's No. 1 hit. Journalists were taking bets on which country's anthem the choir would be unable to sing. Australia, Japan, Russia, Germany, Britain? Of course. Brazil, Sweden, China? No problem. OK, how about Slovenia and Slovakia? Surprise! They were ready. They were even ready to sing the Panamanian anthem in case Eileen Coparropa, top qualifier in the 50, won the final (she didn't). The only anthem for which the talented group was unprepared for was that of Tunisia. Ous Mellouli, winner of the 400 IM, however, was unfazed and happy to hear a recorded version.