It was because a certain country launched itself at another that the World Aquatics Championships came our way. It was because it was held here that I got to see today’s superstars. It was because I was reading about our temporary pool that I realised I that I had been in the inceptive temporary pool at the Fukuoka World Swimming Championships 2001. It was because I was thinking about Ian Thrope as the Big Story of Fukuoka (and a “rising star” then was none other than Michael Phelps!) that I thought of the Perth World Swimming Championships 1998, where he made a mark at just 15 years old (and I saw him swim!). A ( The ?) huge story at Perth was a certain other country’s swimmers being caught, and not caught (syringes found in hotel room bins and so on), for consuming banned substances. All quite exciting being near the thick of things but that was my first ever world event so in itself, the event was very enjoyable...