Five thousand athletes from all over the world will battle it out
Five thousand athletes from all over the world will battle it out at the world swimming championships this weekend in Shanghai’s brand new Oriental Sports Center.
Featuring a natatorium, an indoor stadium and an outdoor diving pool, this new landmark in Shanghai was specially built to host the FINA World Championships or World Aquatics Championships.
It was designed using “water” as its architectural theme.
Apart from a spanking new sports facility, the organising committee also paid special attention to concerns such as food safety, with inspections stepped-up during this period.
Doping control stations have also been set up, in accordance with FINA standards.
“Because doping control comes under the charge of the agency in Beijing and not Shanghai, we will specially fly the urine samples to Beijing once every day, within 24 hours,” said the organising committee’s secretary-general and deputy director, Mr Li Yuyi.
Like many others, home team China sees this international meet as an important preparation for the 2012 London Olympic Games.
“Having this World Championships on home ground is very good training for our young athletes and a chance for them to gain experience and understand their competitors,” said the organising committee’s deputy director, Mr Li Hua.
The natatorium, with a seating capacity of 18,000, is expected to be completely filled as tickets for all final matches are sold out.
FINA is confident spectators will enjoy the most exciting races despite the ban on the shark skin swimsuit.
Organizers hope the World Championships will spark a new interest in water sports among the local residents.
The new sports center will be open to the public for free a month after the games.
Thereafter, tickets will be priced at subsidized rates of about US$3, to encourage more to use the facilities.
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See the Shanghai Oriental Sports Center