ceremony of the world swimming championships in Western Australia earlier this week.

Fahy, 20 next week, and fellow Islander Stephen Troake, 17, make up one of the smaller of the 124 teams taking part in the competition in the city of Perth.

They take their places in the championships for the first time on Monday, both featuring in the 200 metres freestyle. Both will also compete in the 100m freestyle, while Fahy will swim in the 100m butterfly and 200m individual medley and Troake will appear in the 100m backstroke and 50m freestyle.

Richard Goodwin, the team coach who is accompanying the pair, said yesterday: "We arrived on Wednesday afternoon after a 33-hour trip and five stops, stepping out into a temperature of 100 degrees. "The opening ceremony was held at the magnificent Challenge Stadium -- the competition site -- which features five pools laid out over 10 acres and is totally devoted to aquatics.

"The team have settled in quickly, removed any vestiges of jet lag and are feeling relaxed for the competition.'' With the strength of the field, neither Troake nor Fahy expect to pick up a medal, their main aim being to meet qualifying standards for September's Commonwealth Games in Malaysia.