Starting this Thursday (13/12), attention will be focused on the Brazilian Junior and Senior Swimming Championships and the Open Tournament. The competitions, which will feature the participation of more than 50 Clubs, will run until Sunday (16/12), at the Pinheiros Sports Club Aquatic Park, in São Paulo.

The Brazilian Junior Championships – Julio de Lamare Trophy will feature young standout Thiago Parravicini competing in the 100m and 200m breaststroke. Mariana Brochado will represent the red-and-black team in the Brazilian Senior Championships – Daltely Guimarães Trophy. The swimmer, who is back in competition and full of energy, will compete in the 200m, 400m, and 800m freestyle events.

The top eight finishers in the Junior and Senior Brazilian Championships will automatically qualify for the Open Tournament, which will be held in the afternoon, providing even more opportunities for athletes to qualify for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

In addition to qualifying for Beijing, the Open will also define the team that will represent Brazil in the South American Absolute Swimming Championships, in March.

The CRFlamengo delegation, which will have 26 swimmers under the command of coach Marco Lamah, leaves for São Paulo this Wednesday morning.

Check the schedule:

Junior and Senior Brazilians: 1st Stage - 13/12 – 9:30 am 2nd Stage - 14/12 – 9:30 am 3rd Stage - 15/12 – 9:30 am 4th Stage - 16/12 – 9:00 am

Open Tournament (live broadcast on Sportv)\ 1st Stage – 17pm\ 2nd Stage – 17pm\ 3rd Stage – 16:30pm\ 4th Stage – 18pm\

Photo: Satiro Sodré