News reaches us from Dubai, where the FINA Bureau sits in session for three days, that an underwater-camera system, first tested during the FINA World Cup late last year, is set to be in place at the World Championships in Rome this July and will be accepted as official back-up in case of disputes. Amen to that.

One thing stands in the way in terms of Rome: RAI, the Italian broadcaster must be consulted, quite rightly, over whether the underwater video system, which was also tested at world juniors in Mexico, can be accommodated alongside the runners and equipment that will already been in the tank.

A senior FINA source in Dubai told Swimnews: "In principle, it has been agreed. We now just have to make sure that RAI is properly consulted and that the logistics can be worked out." The era of official video back-up for disputes is, however, upon is. A technological step forward we can all be happy with.

But the new track-style Omega blocks will not be permitted. Nothing wrong with them - there just aren't enough of them and many a world-class swimmer has been unable to practice with the new equipment. That's good news too, if only because if is an acknowledgment from FINA that launching a new product on the world that says it has no access to a new product is unwise. A lesson well learned. The Omega block may yet, of course, get off the blocks, once enough of them have been distributed for use.

Tomorrow FINA spend much of the day considering the world championship bids for 2013, before turning its attention to you know what.