The Bahrain Olympic Committee staged an event to celebrate 6,000 people signing up to its swimming programme ©OCA

The Bahrain Olympic Committee (BOC) has claimed that more 6,000 children have signed on to its campaign to teach swimming since the initiative was launched four months ago.

The programme began in July and organisers are hoping to register 10,000 young people in total.

"Swimming is a core sport, and the purpose of the initiative is to teach young boys and girls basic swimming skills and promote fitness amongst youth while discovering hidden talents that could flourish as professional athletes," a Bahrain Olympic Committee statement read.

"As reported by the initiative members, 56 talents were discovered amongst the 6,000 swimmers."

To celebrate the milestone, a competition was held between a selection of the programme's participants.

The Bahrain Olympic Committee is hoping to have 10,000 young people to its swimming initiative that was launched in July ©OCA
The Bahrain Olympic Committee is hoping to have 10,000 young people to its swimming initiative that was launched in July ©OCA

It was attended by BOC President Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa and secretary general Faris Al-Kooheji.

At the end of the event, the Bahrain Swimming Association expressed gratitude for the support of the Sheikh and presented him with a souvenir bearing the slogan of the initiative.

"Swimming is a basic Olympic sport," said Al-Kooheji at the time of the programme's inception.

"The signing of this agreement will result in the largest number of children of both sexes being involved in swimming."

It is hoped that it can lead to Bahrain's first ever Olympic medal in the sport.

The country has won four Olympic medals, with two gold and two silver, all coming in athletics.