The five-member Israeli swim team is competing amid heavy security at the short-course swimming world championships after arriving in Dubai a day late. The team was also dealt a humiliating blow when at yesterday's opening ceremonies it was introduced as "I.S.R." rather than Israel, contrary to an agreement made with competition officials prior to the games.

Open gallery view Guy Barnea competing in the 100-meter backstroke in Dubai. Credit: AFP

Gal Nevo was the first swimmer to walk out onto the pool deck when the event began yesterday. He competed in the opening heat of the first event, the men's 200-meter freestyle. "I feel kind of lucky as an athlete being here, because the average Israeli guy probably wouldn't visit here," Nevo told The Associated Press after finishing 37th with a time of 1:49.69 minutes. He said the team arrived late - just one day before the meet - because "there was some problem with the security."

"But once we got here, everything was good. [They're] taking good care of us," Nevo said. Nevo added that the team has about seven or eight "visible" security agents watching them.

Alon Mandel set an Israeli record during his 100-meter butterfly heat, completing the course in 52.34 seconds, but finished 30th. Guy Barnea narrowly missed the finals of the 100-meter backstroke, finishing 11th with a time of 51.70 seconds, 29/100th of a second behind the eighth spot. Jonathan Koplev was ranked 26th in the same event with his heat of 52.98 seconds.