THE national swimming team launched their campaign at the 15th FINA World Championships in Barcelona on a wrong foot after two swimmers failed to qualify for the semifinals.

Hilal Hilal failed to make cut in the 50m butterfly on the day one (Sunday), while Ammaar Ghadiyali also staggered in the 200 freestyle in the day two (on Monday). In heat one of 7, Ammaar posted 2:13.76, which was not enough for him to qualify.

Tanzania sent a team of three swimmers in the championship that opened on Sunday will stretch up to August 4.

Marim Foum is the only female in the team, which is under Coach Geoffrey Kimimba. He was not in the pool of 16 swimmers who made it to the semifinals.

According to FINA website, those who made it to the semifinals are Roud Benjamin of Great Britain in a time of 23.50, WU Peng of China (23.43), Grevers Matt from USA (23.29) and Munoz Perez Rafael of Spain (23.17).

Others are Govorov Andrii of Ukrain (23.19), Cielo Filho Cesar of Brazil (23.32), Tsurkin Yauhen of Belgium (23.45) and Dotorovic Mario of Crotia who posted 23.53.

The list also has Bousquet Frederick from France (23.49), Targett Matthew of Australia (23.36), Codia Piero (23.21), Schoeman Roland of South Africa (23.02), Manaudou Florent of France (23.18), Godsoe Eugene of USA (23.31), Santos Nicholas of Brazil (23.45) and Deibler Steffen of German (23.50).

Hilal will try his luck again in 50m Freestyle on August 2, while Ghadiyali will compete 100m Freestyle today as Mariam Foum will start her races on August 3, in 50m Freestyle and will finish her race in 50m Breast the following day.

At least 181 nations are participating in this championship compared with last FINA World Championships in 2011 Shanghai, China where by 178 nations attended.

This year - 1,144 swimmers with 40 events are competing in swimming discipline alone. Other disciplines are open water, diving, synchronizing, water polo and high diving where by Tanzania have no athlete in this category.