Olympian George Bovell III is among the 180-plus athletes registered for this weekend's National Open Short Course Championships, at the St Michael's Pool, Presentation College, San Fernando.

The four-day meet, which starts today would be the final qualifier for the World Short Course Championships in Dubai, which are scheduled for next month. Bovell III is down to participate in both the 50 and 100 freestyle events.

The CAC gold medallist will square off with rising swim star and fellow World Championship Qualifier Joshua Mc Leod, in the 50 and 100m freestyle. Two weeks ago at the Stingray Invitational Meet at the same venue, Mc Leod swam a scorching 49.06 seconds in the 100m free event. At that meet, Mc Leod of Atlantis Aquatics qualified in the 100m butterfly event.

Also scheduled to compete with Bovell III is six-foot-plus Caryle Blondell of Blue Dolphins Swim Club.

Just this weekend at the Beacon Insurance Secondary School's Swim Meet, the CAC silver medallist set a meet record and a personal best 22.57 in the 50m freestyle.

Several other of the country's top swimmers are expected to participate including Record breakers at the Stingray meet  Abraham Mc Leod of Atlantis, Jabari Baptiste of Marlins and Syriah David of Tidal Wave.

Also on the star-studded cast are Commonwealth swimmer Cherelle Thompson, CARIFTA gold medallists Joshua Romany and Dylan Carter of Marlins,  YOG participant Kadeja Phillip of Blue Dolphins, Cross Harbour winner Stefan Sharpe, eight and under record holder Luke Gillette of Marlins, and Commonwealth paralympic finalist Shanntol Ince of Barracudas.