Rome - Dozens of different national teams began arriving in Rome on Tuesday for the upcoming FINA World Swimming Championships.

Street posters and large billboards throughout the airport and city greeted the world's best aquatic athletes to the Eternal City.

One billboard often seen shows Italian open water swimming star Valerio Cleri. Valerio was the 2008 FINA 10km Marathon Swimming World Cup circuit champion.

But the Italians also have a great way to combine their ancient history with contemporary swimming which is seen throughout the city

With the expected weather to be sunny and warm throughout the 5K, 10K and 25K open water championships, the competition should be hot.

Before young Australian open water swimming star Danielle DeFrancesco departed from Brisbane with her team-mates this morning, she echoed the sentiments of many other athletes who will be experiencing their first major international championship, "It's my first world championships and I just want to enjoy the experience. I have no big plans, I just need to swim a good time."

For fans of pool swimming, water polo, diving, synchronized swimming and open water swimming, Rome will be providing a good time over the next three weeks.