Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived at the Tatneft-Arena stadium in the Russian city of Kazan for the opening ceremony
KAZAN, July 24 /TASS/. The opening ceremony of the 2015 FINA World Aquatics Championships has kicked off at the Tatneft Arena’s ice palace in Kazan, the capital of Tatarstan.
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It is the first time that Russia is hosting the World Aquatics Championships, which has assembled 2,400 athletes from 190 countries this year. They will compete for 75 sets of medals.
Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived at the Tatneft-Arena stadium in the Russian city of Kazan for the opening ceremony.
The opening ceremony is taking place in a swimming pool for the first time in the tournament’s history. The palace’s sport arena has been redesigned specially for the ceremony, which is going to last for 2 hours and 30 minutes.
According to the script writers, the show is supposed to disclose one of the numerous meanings of the word "water" - as a source and the beginning of something.
Natalya Ishchenko, the three times Olympic champion in synchronized swimming, will carry the Russian flag. Swimmer Yana Martynova will take an oath on behalf of the athletes, while Russia’s swimming Coach Alexei Aktayev, who will also work as a judge at this tournament, will swear an oath of fair judgement on behalf of all judges.
The action will take place in cascade of swimming pools from five to three meters deep. About 200 circus performers, ballet dancers and professional athletes will participate in the show, which will run daily for the next eight days from July 26 to August 2.
More than 50,000 people will be able to watch the opening ceremony live.
The championships will last till August 9.