Korea to bid on hosting world swimming contest in 2013

South Korea will apply to host the 2013 world swimming championships at the recommendation of the sport's international governing body, officials here said Friday.

"We decided to bid for the 2013 World Championships at the request of the international swimming body, FINA," said Lee Ki-heung, president of the Korea Swimming Federation (KSF).

Dubai was originally selected to host the 2013 competition, but withdrew due to financial difficulties.

In response, FINA asked the Korea Olympic Committee and the KSF to consider staging the biennial swimming competition and also sent a letter to the South Korean government, according to the officials.

Sydney is also said to be interested in hosting the event, but FINA favors Seoul, they said.

South Korea previously sought to host the championships after its swimming sensation Park Tae-hwan won the country's first world championships gold medal in 2007 and an Olympic gold medal in 2008.

FINA has not yet announced when it will decide on the 2013 host city.

The 2011 championships will be held in Shanghai, China.