Rome defeated rival bids from Athens (Greece), Moscow (Russia) and Yokohama (Japan).

[1] FINA's decision to allow the use of polyurethane suits caused these Championships to be dubbed the "Plastic Games".

Per FINA rules, the Bureau then elected the Executive officers from its members (i.e. President, Treasurer and Secretary).

In March 2009,[6] based on urgings from its membership, FINA had begun an attempt to implement limits to high-tech swimsuit construction that were seen by members of the swimming community as adding buoyancy, stability, speed and endurance.

[10] Subsequently, on July 31, 2009, the FINA Bureau (the Board of the organization), solidified the implementation date as January 1, 2010.