Medallists at worlds to receive prize money from 2007

MADRID, Sep 25 (Reuters) Medallists at the world swimming championships will receive prize money for the first time from next year's event in Melbourne, the sport's world governing body FINA decided at a meeting in Madrid.

A total of 1.925 million dollars will be on offer across the five categories of swimming, water polo, diving, synchronised and open water swimming, FINA said on their official Web site.

Gold medallists in swimming, individual and synchronised diving, and solo and duet synchronised swimming events will receive 12,000 dollars.

The top prize in team and free combination synchronised swimming will be ,000 and in water polo 60,000 dollars.

Bronze and silver medallists will also get prize money and 25,000 dollars will be awarded for each world record set.

The 12th world championships take place in Melbourne, Australia, from March 17 to April 1 2007.

REUTERS DH VV1938