The centre of the FINA World Championships is ready in Budapest – PHOTO GALLERY
Exactly 143 days are back until the 17th FINA World Championships and the home of the swimming and the diving competitions has been presented with the help of Hungarian athletes, such as Katinka Hosszú, Gergely Gyurta, László Cseh, Evelyn Verrasztó and Péter Bernek.
At the press conference István Tarlós, the Mayor of Budapest explained that this complex was built not just for the World Championships but, for the 2020 European Championships as well. He finished:
“The first world record at the World Championships has already born as this Arena became ready in record time”.
After the speeches, the Mayor and Balázs Fürjes, the Government Commissioner, responsible for top priority investments in Budapest, together gave the “key” of the Danube Arena to the three-time Olympic champion swimmer, Katinka Hosszú.
Cornel Marculescu, the Executive Director of FINA visited the event as well. In his speech he highlighted: “When I step into this beautiful arena, I do not feel like that this is a swimming pool, because next to the pool the space is always tight. Much more like a stadium. Spacious and beautiful.”
About the tight deadline: “Fourteen months ago, the Prime Minister, Viktor Orbán said Hungary will organise the World Championships. Two more years had passed, and the Arena is ready to receive the competitors, spectators. Probably only Budapest and Hungary capable for this. ”
“I wish, we can see the most successful FINA World Championships in July. Budapest and Balatonfüred got everything to absolve this.” – finished his speech the Executive Director of FINA.
After the press conference, the invited swimmers were asked to try out the warm-up swimming pool as now the Danube Arena belongs to the fans of Aquatics.
100 metres “later”, the divers came to inaugurate the new diving tower. Flóra Gondos and Barnabás Gács were the first two athletes, who could jump down from the platform with led-screens.
Finally, the press and the athletes walk through the swimming pool area.
“Water Town of Budapest, where the Danube is the center. That’s why I thought that this must be the name of the arena is accurately reflected. ”
Budapest is a Water Town where the Danube is the main sight. „That’s why we thought that the arena name is have to be Danube Arena.” – said Balázs Fürjes.
Photo: MTI
Source: Press release – fina-budapest2017.com