Bulgaria will take part in the World Swimming Federation (FINA) championship in Melbourne from March 16 to April 1.

Bulgarian Swimming Federation (BSF) executive director Tanya Bogomilova said that four Bulgarian swimmers will compete.

Petar Stoychev and Tihomir Ivanchev will compete in the swimming marathon. The two will take part in the five, 10 and 25km in open waters competition, Focus Sport agency reported.

Georgi Palazov and Mihail Akexandrov are the other two Bulgarian competitors, who will take part in various championship starts.

BSF will provide a 6000 leva award for each first place in the championship, 4000 leva for a silver medal and 2000 leva for bronze.

Stoychev has highest chances of winning a medal, while the other competitors are expected to improve their personal achievements.

BSF chair Uyri Kuylev said that the championship is the biggest challenge for the Bulgarians before the Olympic Games in Beijing. The championship is also the first competition of importance for getting Olympic quotas, he said.