Rustam Minnikhanov takes part in the opening ceremony of 15th FINA World Championships

On July 20 Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov took part in the opening ceremony of 15th FINA World Championships in Barcelona (Spain) at the Palau Sant Jordi.

FINA World Championships will be held in the Catalan capital from July 19 to August 4, 2013. More than 2,500 athletes will participate in the competitions.

The audience will make 520 million people from all over the world. This year High Diving from a 27-meter tall platform has been introduced to the World Championships for the first time in history. A drop of water called Xop is the official mascot of the 15th FINA World Championships 2013.

The opening ceremony began at 22.00 by local time (midnight by Moscow time) with a spectacular prologue – children read official manifest in three languages from the stage.

The parade of participating countries was held after the spectacular show with participation of swimmers, acrobats, and traceurs.

Barcelona Mayor Xavier Trias, President of International Swimming Federation Julio Maglione addressed ceremony participants with welcoming speeches. Head of Catalonia Government Artur Mas declared championships officially open.

Aide to Tatarstan President on Foreign Affairs Radik Gimatdinov, Tatarstan Minister of Youth Affairs, Sports and Tourism Rafis Burganov, Director General of ANO “Executive Directorate of 27th World Summer Universiade 2013 in Kazan” Vladimir Leonov and others took part in the event.

For information:

The 16th FINA World Championships will be held in Kazan in July 2015.
“Kazan 2015” pavilion exhibition is displayed at Palau Sant Jordi within the framework of World Championships 2013 in Barcelona. The ceremony of handing over the flag to Kazan, which will host the next championships, will be held on the final day of the competitions (August 4).