BENDIGO will be bathed in glory for the return of the Victorian Country Swimming Championships in January.
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The three day championships will run at the Bendigo Aquatic Centre from January 15-17.
Central Victorian Swimming (CSV) last hosted the championships in 2012.
President Greg Smith said about 700 competitors would take part in the championships, with about 2000 spectators expected through the gates each day.
He said the event had taken months of planning since CVS won the rights to host the championships last January.
"We've been busy getting the infrastructure organised, the program organised, sponsors in place," he said.
"We last hosted it in 2012 and it was a great success.
"The aquatic centre looked fantastic - we put up a huge grandstand that seated about 800 people around the length of the pool.
"The site looked fantastic."
The championships are the premier event for swimmers in regional Victoria.
Smith said CVS affiliated clubs had fared well at past championships.
"In 2013 down at Sale, Bendigo Hawks and Bendigo East both finished in the top 10," he said.
"Bendigo Hawks admittedly had a stronger team back then, but finished second behind Traralgon, who are a powerhouse club and have been for a few years or more.
"They did well in 2014 too and finished about fourth or fifth. We'd expect a strong showing from them again this year."
The CVS has 10 affiliated clubs - Bendigo East, Bendigo Hawks, Castlemaine, Echuca, Gisborne Thunder, Kangaroo Flat, Maryborough, Rochester, South Gisborne and Tongala.
Smith said the event would produce spin-off benefits to tourism operators and accommodation providers.
It is estimated the 2012 championships provided Bendigo with a $1.2m economic boost.
