This since has been expanded/opened to include other non-European countries wishing to participate, such as Brazil and South Africa.
The meet is considered to be one of the toughest international swimming competitions outside the Olympic Games, World Championships and European Championships, due in part to the presence of swimming power-house nationals like the United States and Australia, the first and second most medals winners, respectively.
Prior to FINA's creation of semi-finals in the late 1990s, a total of 3 swimmers per country could qualify for the final and consolation heats of an event, with no more than 2 swimmers per country in a final or consolation.
Note: The 1995 and 1999 editions served as the swimming test events for the Olympic venues, for the next year's Games.
All-time Pan Pacific Championships medal table (Updated after 2018 Championships) The Junior Pan Pacific Swimming Championships, aka Junior Pan PAC’s, is a long course swimming event that features high level 18 under swimmers around the Pacific.