THE finals of the world swimming championships in Melbourne will be held at night, despite intense pressure from overseas TV giants to stage them in the morning. The broadcasters had pushed for morning finals to coincide with US prime-time TV.But the sport’s governing body, FINA, told organisers yesterday the heats would be at 10am and finals at 7pm for the March event.

“We are certainly relieved that common sense has prevailed and now we can get on with the job of preparing for a traditional program,” a senior official told the Herald Sun last night.

An announcement is expected from the Government today, ending weeks of speculation.

Swimming Australia had feared morning finals would dramatically affect crowds and be a commercial disaster.

The issue was first raised last month, following speculation Melbourne might be forced to switch its program to fall into line with the probable schedule for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

It’s almost certain the swimming finals at the Beijing Games will be in the morning after lobbying by US television heavyweight NBC.

FINA signed off yesterday on the program, which was expected to see marquee finals in the swimming clash with the opening round of the 2007 AFL season.

It’s expected stars such as Libby Lenton and Grant Hackett will race at the same time as the AFL’s biggest round one games at the MCG.