FRANKFURT, Germany -- Swimming's governing body has changed course and has decided to award the City of Montreal the 2005 world aquatic championship.

FINA announced the decision Thursday following a meeting in Frankfurt, Germany after it had pulled the event from Montreal in January after local organizers said they were $6 million Cdn short of meeting their $36-million budget.

But a statement on the FINA website said all requested guarantees have now been presented by the city confirming the obligations agreed to in 2001 when Montreal was chosen as host city.

The FINA statement said it also considered numerous appeals received form citizens and organizations in Montreal supporting the city hosting the championship.

One person who spoke out in favour of Montreal hosting the event was Canadian Olympic official Dick Pound.

He said in late January that FINA should revoke its decision to strip Montreal of the championship because the city had the necessary finances.

Pound - a senior Canadian IOC member, head of the World Anti-Doping Agency and honorary co-chairman of the Montreal organizing committee - said the city itself put up financial guarantees.

The championship is scheduled for July 17-31 and is expected to attracted 2,000 swimmers, coaches and officials.

Athens, host of the 2004 Olympics, was ready to step in as a replacement for Montreal. The German swimming federation had submitted a bid for the city of Berlin. Long Beach, Calif., which lost out to Montreal in the original bidding, has said it wasn't interested.

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