The IOC Executive meets this week to consider a request to hold morning swimming finals at the 2008 Beijing Olympics instead of the usual night-time events.

The US television network NBC is behind the push to switch to daytime swimming finals to coincide with American prime time viewing habits.

AOC President John Coates is meeting with IOC President Jacques Rogge in Lausanne today to discuss the issue.

“I’m concerned for the wellbeing of the athletes” Coates said.

“Swimming heats at night, doing a warm-down and then possibly a drug test would make it a very late night for our swimmers who would then have to back up the next morning for the finals” he said.

Australian Swimming and the Seven Network, the television rights holder in Australia, are also opposed to the move.

“I fully support Australian Swimming” Coates said.

The head of the Seven Network, Kerry Stokes, has written a protest letter.

“To switch to morning finals would impact on the viewing public and the overall support for the Games in Australia” Coates said.

AOC