BEIJING, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- Several prominent swimmers will be notably absent from the Doha World Aquatics scheduled for February as they focus on preparations for the upcoming Paris Olympics.
Compared to the 48 swimmers who participated in the Fukuoka World Aquatics in July last year, the United States will be represented by 18 swimmers in Doha.
Among the notable absentees is Katie Ledecky, the 16-time individual world champion. Other key figures like Caeleb Dressel and Ryan Murphy will also choose to skip. Defending champions Hunter Armstrong (50m backstroke) and Kate Douglass (200m individual medley) will seek to retain their titles.
Australia, who topped the tally with 13 gold medals in Fukuoka, will also witness significant absences, including Kaylee McKeown, Mollie O'Callaghan, Ariarne Titmus, Kyle Chalmers, and Samuel Short. Leading the powerhouse will be Cam McEvoy, the current 50m freestyle world champion.
Meanwhile, Canada will be led by Katerine Savard, an Olympic participant in London, Rio de Janeiro, and Tokyo. The absence of Summer McIntosh, who secured gold in the 200m butterfly and 400m individual medley in Fukuoka, is particularly notable.
Among the confirmed participants, Swedish swimmer Sarah Sjostrom stands out. Having clinched gold in the 50m freestyle and 50m butterfly in Fukuoka, she boasts an impressive tally of 12 world championship titles. ■
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