According to the UK’s Times newspaper, Paris bid officials publicised plans for a five pool complex and said that the facility would be ready by 2007, following a previous statement last November that Paris was going to apply to host the 2009 World Swimming Championships.
But the Paris bid team say it has consistently stated in all official materials for the IOC (including the Reply to Questionnaire for the Candidature Procedure and the main Candidature File) that the Aquatic Centre would be constructed between 2009 and 2011, and would only be completed in time for test events one year before the start of the 2012 Games.
In a statement, Paris 2012 goes on to say that in Autumn 2004, FFN, The National Swimming Federation of France, "explored the possibility of bidding for the 2009 FINA World Championships".
The statement adds "they subsequently decided not to become an official candidate", meaning there was no withdrawal from a tabled bid.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) Evaluation Commission will be inspecting Paris 2012 from March 9 to 12.
