FINA Aquatics 2017, 8th day – French and Brazilian victories in 25 km open water swimming, one more win for Russia in synchro swimming

Axel Reymond of France won the men’s 25 km open water swimming event of the 17th World Aquatics Championships in Balatonfüred, in western Hungary, on Friday, while Ana Marcela Cunha of Brazil won the race in the women’s field. Meanwhile, Russia triumphed in the synchro swimming team free event in Budapest on Friday. Lastly, Tingmao Shi of China triumphed in the women’s 3 m springboard diving event.

Men’s 25 km open water swimming:

1. Axel Reymond (FRA) 5:02:46.40 hours

2. Matteo Furlan (ITA) 5:02.47.00

3. Evgenii Drattcev (RUS) 5:02:49.80

The medallists – Photo: MTI

6. Gergely Gyurta (HUN) 5:04:00.70

Gergely Gyurta – Photo: MTI

Women’s 25 km open water swimming:

1. Ana Marcela Cunha (BRA) 5:21:58.40 hours

2. Sharon van Rouwendaal (USA) 5:22.00.80

3. Arianna Bridi (ITA) 5:22:08.20

The medallists – Photo: MTI

5. Anna Olasz (HUN) 5:23:55.00

Anna Olasz – Photo: MTI

12. Katalin Sömenek Onon (HUN) 5:33:05.80

Synchronised swimming team free event:

1. Russia 97.3000 points

2. China 95.2333

3. Ukraine 93.9333

The winners – Photo: MTI

Men’s water polo:

Group A:

Canada – Brazil 6:6 (2:1, 2:3, 2:1, 0:1)

Canada vs. Brazil – Photo: MTI

Montenegro – Kazakhstan 13:5 (2:0, 4:0, 3:2, 4:3)

Montenegro vs. Kazakhstan – Photo: MTI

Final standing:

1. Montenegro 5

2. Brazil 3

3. Kazakhstan 2

4. Canada 2

Group B:

Hungary – France 13:7 (6:1, 2:3, 3:1, 2:2)

Hungary vs. France – Photo: MTI

Italy – Australia 13:5 (5:2, 3:0, 2:3, 3:0)

Italy vs. Australia – Photo: MTI

Final standing:

1. Hungary 5

2. Italy 5

3. Australia 2

4. France 0

Group C:

Spain – South Africa 16:4 (3:2, 1:0, 6:1, 6:1)

Spain vs. South Africa – Photo: MTI

Serbia – Greece 11:6 (2:1, 3:3, 3:0, 3:2)

Serbia vs. Greece – Photo: MTI

Final standing:

1. Serbia 6

2. Greece 4

3. Spain 2

4. South Africa 0

Group D:

United States – Russia 14:11 (6:1, 3:5, 3:1, 2:4)

Russia vs. United States of America – Photo: MTI

Croatia – Japan 16:6 (5:1, 5:3, 4:1, 2:1)

Croatia vs. Japan – Photo: MTI

Final standing:

1. Croatia 6

2. Russia 2

3. Japan 2

4. United States 2

Women’s 3 m springboard:

1. Tingmao Shi (CHN) 383.50 points

2. Han Wang (CHN) 359.40

3. Jennifer Abel (CAN) 351.55

The winner – Photo: MTI

Featured image: MTI – The winner Russian synchronised swimming team

Hungarians could teach Africa water sports

afica on the globe

The 17th FINA World Championships opens up doors to new opportunities. The African-Hungarian Union (AHU), the directors of FINA and the African Swimming Federation believe that Hungary could implement the knowledge and experience gathered during the World Aquatics Championships in Africa.

The African-Hungarian Union organises supportive programmes that offer long-term solutions to underprivileged ethnic groups and minorities in Africa. The flagships of AHU’s activity are the volunteer medical missions, with which they attended to almost 40,000 patients in different parts of Africa, where thousands of people live without medical attendance due to the lack of experts and equipment.

With this new agreement, the union would build sporting and training facilities, and promote water sports in the Dark Continent.

Ce: bm

FINA Aquatics 2017, 7th day – Russia continues to triumph in synchro swimming, Chinese win in men’s springboard diving

Svetlana Kolesnichenko and Aleksandra Patskevich of Russia triumphed in the synchro swimming duet free event in Budapest on Thursday, with the former winning her fourth gold medal in the 17th World Aquatics Championships. Meanwhile, France triumphed in the 5 km open water swimming mixed team relay event of the 17th World Aquatics Championships in Balatonfüred, in western Hungary. Moreover, Xie Siyi of China triumphed in the men’s 3m springboard diving event.

Open water swimming 5 km mixed team:

1. France 54:05.90 min

The winners – Photo: MTI

2. United States 54:18.10

3. Italy 54:31.00

7. Hungary

Team Hungary: Melinda Novoszáth, Kristóf Rasovszky, Janka Juhász Gergely Gyurta – Photo: MTI

Synchronised swimming duet free:

1. Svetlana Kolesnichenko, Alexsandra Patskevich (RUS) 97.0000 points

2. Tingting Jiang, Wenwen Jiang (CHN) 95.3000

3. Anna Voloshyna, Yelizaveta Yakhno (UKR) 93.2667

The winners – Photo: MTI
The medallists – Photo: MTI

Women’s water polo:

Group A:

Italy – China 15:8 (3:2, 4:2, 6:0, 2:4)

Italy-China – Photo: MTI

Canada – Brazil 16:6 (4:2, 4:2, 4:1, 4:1)

Canada – Brazil – Photo: MTI

Final standing:
1. Italy 6

2. Canada 4

3. China 2

4. Brazil 0

Group B:

United States – New Zealand 22:7 (6:2, 6:1, 6:2, 4:2)

New Zealand-United States of America – Photo: MTI

Spain – South Africa 17:3 (4:1, 6:0, 2:1, 5:1)

Final standing:

1. United States 6

2. Spain 4

3. New Zealand 2

4. South Africa 0

Group C:

France – Japan 9:8 (3:3, 3:0, 1:3, 2:2)

France-Japan – Photo: MTI

Hungary – Netherlands 10:8 (2:2, 1:1, 4:2, 3:3)

The winner Hungarian team – Photo: MTI

Final standing:

1. Hungary 6

2. Netherlands 4

3. France 2

4. Japan 0

Group D:

Greece – Australia 11:8 (2:2, 3:3, 3:2, 3:1)

The joy of the Greek team – Photo: MTI

Russia – Kazakhstan 15:6 (5:1, 3:2, 4:2, 3:1)

Kazakhstan-Russia – Photo: MTI

Final standing:
1. Greece 4 (37:22)

2. Australia 4 (32:20)

3. Russia 4 (29:21)

4. Kazakhstan 0

Men’s 3 m springboard diving:

1. Xie Siyi (CHN) 547.10 points

2. Patrick Hausding (GER) 526.15

3. Ilia Zakharov (RUS) 505.90

The medallists – Photo: MTI

Featured image: MTI – Slovakian synchronised swimmers in front of the Vajdahunyad Castle

FINA Aquatics 2017, 6th day – US victory in Balatonfüred, Kolesnichenko won her third gold medal in Budapest

Ashley Twichell of the United States triumphed in the women’s 5 km open water swimming event of the 17th World Aquatics Championships in Balatonfüred, in western Hungary, on Wednesday. Svetlana Kolesnichenko of Russia triumphed in the synchro swimming solo free event in Budapest on Wednesday, winning her third gold medal in the 17th World Aquatics Championships.

US victory in women’s 5 km open water swimming

Results:

1. Ashley Twichell (USA) 59:07.00 min

2. Aurelie Muller (ITA) 59:10.50

3. Ana Marcela Cunha (BRA) 59:11.40

27. Janka Juhász (HUN)

28. Melinda Novoszáth (HUN)

Photo: MTI
Photo: MTI

Russian victory in synchro swimming solo free

Results:

1. Svetlana Kolesnichenko (RUS) 96.1333 points

2. Ona Carbonell (ESP) 95.0333

3. Anna Voloshyna (UKR) 93.3000

Photo: MTI
Svetlana Kolesnichenko (RUS), photo: MTI

Men’s water polo results

Results of men’s water polo matches played in the 17th World Aquatics Championships in Budapest on Wednesday:

Group A:

Kazakhstan – Canada 10:9 (2:2, 3:3, 2:3, 3:1)

Montenegro – Brazil 14:5 (4:0, 3:2, 4:2, 3:1)

Montenegro-Brazil – Photo: MTI

Group B:

Australia – France 11:10 (4:5, 2:1, 3:1, 2:3)

Hungary – Italy 9:9 (4:4, 2:1, 1:3, 2:1)

Hungary-Italy – Photo: MTI

Group C:

Greece – South Africa 18:2 (5:0, 3:2, 5:0, 5:0)

Greece-South Africa, photo: MTI

Serbia – Spain 11:5 (3:1, 2:0, 3:2, 3:2)

Group D:

Croatia – Russia 10:8 (1:3, 3:3, 4:1, 2:1)

Russia-Croatia, photo: MTI

Japan – United States 15:7 (1:2, 5:2, 4:2, 5:1)

Malaysian victory in women’s 10 m platform diving

Yun Hoong Cheong of Malaysia won the women’s 10 m platform diving event of the 17th World Aquatics Championships in Budapest on Wednesday.

The medallists – Photo: MTI

Results:

1. Yun Hoong Cheong (MAS) 397.50 points

2. Yajie Si (CHN) 396.00

3. Qian Ren (CHN) 391.95

Photo: MTI

“Water Legends” moved to the capital venue of the 17th FINA World Championships

19th July 2017, Budapest- the animated animal sculptures known from the popular video spot of the 17th FINA World Championships were set up and designed by one of the biggest Hungarian contemporary artists, the internationally acknowledged, Miklós Gábor Szőke. The different pieces of the Water Legends sculpture series can be seen on more venues of the championships in the capital.

The central idea of the video spot of the 17th FINA World Championships, directed by Péter Juhász, was to embody the six disciplines of the Aquatic World Championships by using water creatures. These legendary animals show similarity both in their abilities and features to the characteristics of certain sports: swimming is symbolized by the most fearsome animal of the seas, the shark, open water swimming is presented by the “wanderer” of the seas, the whale. With its characteristic movements dolphin became the symbol of acrobatic diving, while orca in high diving, synchronized schools of fish in synchronized swimming and octopus in water polo became the emblems.

Designed by Miklós Gábor Szőke
Designed by Miklós Gábor Szőke
Designed by Miklós Gábor Szőke

Alexandra Szalay-Bobrovniczky, deputy lord mayor, expressed her conviction that people visiting Budapest for the time of the FINA World Championships would enjoy the exceptional cultural values of Budapest. “As deputy lord mayor responsible for culture I believe it is very important that everybody who visits Budapest should be part of this unforgettable cultural experience regardless the purpose of their visit. I believe that by the newly implemented investments the Municipality of Budapest made our capital homier for the inhabitants. As host of the event, Budapest has been renewed in more aspects, the mascots created of Miklós Gábor Szőke will not only enrich the image of the city but the supporting atmosphere of the championships.”

Received by great success in the film, sculptures can be visited on different venues of the Aquatic World Championships from now on. In the supporter zone of the Danube Arena, the shark, the whale and the dolphin found their homes, and the octopus was moved to the FanZone of the Margaret Island for the time of the Aquatic World Championships. The school of fish can be found in the City Park (Városliget), the venue of the synchronized swimming, while the sculpture of the orca is providing compelling sight at the Batthyány Square, with the Parliament at its background.

Designed by Miklós Gábor Szőke
Designed by Miklós Gábor Szőke
Designed by Miklós Gábor Szőke

“Animals and sports have been more times connected during my work, I recon performance, elemental force and dynamism in animals are such traits which can make certain animals symbols of sports.”-said the artist, Miklós Gábor Szőke.

“All the sculptures were created as I dreamt them, they are located in those wonderful venues which are hosting races embodied by them.”

Miklós Gábor Szőke said, he is now over a very exciting and inspiring process, the creation of the “Water Legends” sculpture series, but he added it was an exceptional experience to see them coming to life in the film.”

“It was exciting to see after the film how the characters of all sculptures were built up and now they create a unity together. In the sculptures I combined rustic and industrial elements which are complementing each other. I mixed on purpose natural and marine elements with known swimming pool materials, like driftwood, vintage ship lantern and rustic steel with stainless steel elements. During the installation of the sculptures it was part of the concept that the venues of the creatures- hosting the races of the world championships-should be interpreted as contemporary exhibition spaces of the “Water Legends”-said the artist.

One of my newest sculptures, the Atlanta Falcons in the United States is located opposite to the center of the CNN. When I was there I met the marketing director, to whom I planned to show the campaign film with my sculptures of the world championships in my phone, when he said he had already known them.” explained the artist. “For me it was very moving when I realized the film and my sculptures are already known by the world.” He added he is sure that thanks to these, people will be aware of the values of our country and that the world championships are happening here. “I am happy that my sculptures are spreading the word about the Aquatic World Championships not only within the country but abroad.”

The English video spot is available on the following link:

FINA Aquatics 2017, 5th day – Hungary beats France, Russian synchro swimming team’s victory in Budapest, Dutch victory in Balatonfüred

Results of women’s water polo matches played in the 17th World Aquatics Championships on Tuesday. The Russian team triumphed in the synchro swimming team technical event in Budapest City Park (Városliget). Ferry Weertman of the Netherlands won the men’s 10 km open water swimming event in Balatonfüred. Laura Marino and Matthieu Rosset of France won the 3 m/10 m team diving event.

Women’s water polo results

Group C:

Hungary-France 24–5 (7–0, 7–2, 6–3, 4–0)

Louise Guillet (FRA) and Rita Keszthelyi (HUN), photo: MTI

Netherlands – Japan 20:8 (7:0, 3:5, 5:2, 5:1)

Group D:

Greece – Kazakhstan 19:5 (5:0, 4:2, 4:1, 6:2)

Photo: MTI

Group B:

United States – Spain 12:8 (6:1, 1:2, 2:2, 3:3)

United States – Spain

New Zealand – South Africa 8:6 (2:1, 1:2, 1:1, 4:2)

Russian victory in synchro swimming team technical event

Results:

1. Russia 96.0109 points

2. China 94.2165

3. Japan 93.1590

Photo: MTI

Dutch victory in men’s 10 km open water swimming

 

Results:

1. Ferry Weertman (NED) 1:51:58.50 hours

2. Jordan Wilimowsky (USA) 1:51.58.60

3. Marc-Antoine Olivier (FRA) 1:51:59.20

5. Kristóf Rasovszky (HUN)

Balatonfüred – Men’s 10 km open water swimming
fina-balatonfüred
Kristóf Rasovszky (HUN) in Balatonfüred

Dutch victory in men’s 10 km open water swimming

Aquatics – French victory in 3 m/10 m team diving event

Results:

1. Laura Marino, Matthieu Rosset (FRA) 406.40 points

Matthieu Rosset and Laura Marino, photo: MTI

2. Rommel Pacheco Marrufo, Viviana del Angel Peniche (MEX) 402.35

3. Krysta Palmer, David Dinsmore (USA) 395.90

Photo: MTI

FINA Aquatics 2017, 4th day – Hungarian water polo team started its first game with victory

Results of men’s water polo matches played in the 17th World Aquatics Championships in Budapest on Monday. Tingmao Shi and Yani Chang of China wom the women’s 3 m springboard synchronised diving event. Aisen Chen and Hao Yang of China triumphed in the men’s 10 m platform synchro diving event. Manila Flamini and Giorgio Minisini of Italy triumphed in the synchro swimming mixed duet technical event.

Men’s water polo results

Group B:

Australia-Hungary 3-13 (1-1, 1-4, 1-2, 0-6)
Hajós Alfréd Swimming Complex, 7500 spectators, referees: Franulovic (CRO), Rotstart (USA)

Photo: MTI
Budapest – Fun zone in Margaret Island

waterpolo.hu – The Hungarian men’s national team gave head coach Tamás Märcz the perfect birthday present as they powered past Australia to record a 13-3 victory in their opening match at the World Championships. Their next match is on Wednesday against Italy, who defeated France 18-9. 

 

Hungary and Australia drew 9-9 at last year’s Rio Olympics the last time the teams met at a major tournament, and although only four players remain from that Australia team Hungary were by no means expecting a straight-forward victory.

It certainly didn’t start out that way, Australia taking the game to Hungary early on, failing to convert a number of chances before Lachlan Edwards eventually gave them the lead after three and a half minutes following a pass from Aaron Younger. Anthony Hrysanthos then saved from Gergő Zalánki, but was unable to prevent a fierce shot from Márton Vámos finding its way into the net with less than two minutes of the quarter left to play. Australia remained in the ascendancy, Viktor Nagy in the Hungary goal making a number of saves as the sides took a breather at 1-1.

Nagy continued to keep the Australians at bay in the second period, and at the other end Dénes Varga scoring two action goals, Norbert Hosnyánszky adding another, and then Varga scoring his third of the evening from a man-up situation after Younger had brought Australia some hope of keeping up with their hosts. The score at half-time saw Hungary 5-2 ahead.

Australia fought valiantly in the third, but were unable to break down the Hungarian defence with any great regularity, and when they did, Nagy stood in their path. Hungary went further ahead as Varga converted a penalty shot won by Tamás Mezei, and were 7-2 to the good when Béla Török made the most of another man-up situation. An action goal from Joe Kayes did keep Australia give Australia a glimmer of hope, Hungary leading 7-3 going into the final eight minutes.

That glimmer faded quickly though, Hungary running riot in the fourth quarter as they scored a further six goals without reply. Balázs Hárai and Tamás Mezei both got on the score sheet before Krisztián Manhercz, Vámos, Török, and then Manhercz again rounded off the scoring, the final score of 13-3 being duly hailed by an ecstatic 7,500 crowd.

AUSTRALIA 3-13 HUNGARY (1–1, 1–4, 1–2, 0–6)

AUSTRALIA: Hrysanthos – G. Ford, Edwards 1, Gilchrist, Younger 1, A. Ford, Hollis. Replacements: Putt, Kayes 1, Power, Fannon, Brooks. Head coach: Elvis Fatović

HUNGARY: Nagy V. – Vámos 2, Hosnyánszky 1, Gór-Nagy, Erdélyi, Varga Dénes 4, Hárai 1. Replacements: Török 2, Manhercz 2, Zalánki, Decker Á, Mezei 1. Head coach: Tamás Märcz

Italy – France 18:9 (5:2, 3:4, 7:1, 3:2)

Group C:

Greece – Spain 8:7 (3:1, 2:2, 1:1, 2:3)

Serbia – South Africa 21:5 (6:1, 7:1, 5:1, 3:2)

Group D:

Croatia – United States 12:7 (3:1, 4:2, 3:1, 2:3)

Group A:

Brazil – Kazakhstan 6:2 (1:1, 0:1, 3:0, 2:0)

Canada – Montenegro 8:8 (1:3, 2:2, 1:1, 4:2)

Chinese victory in women’s 3 m springboard synchronised diving

Results:

1. Tingmao Shi, Chang Yani (CHN) 333.30 points

2. Melissa Citrini Beaulieu, Jennifer Abel (CAN) 323.43

3. Kristina Ilinykh, Nadezhda Bazhina (RUS) 312.60

Photo: MTI

Chinese victory in men’s 10 m platform synchro diving

Results:

1. Aisen Chen, Hao Yang (CHN) 498.48 points

Photo: MTI

2. Aleksandr Bondar, Viktor Minibaev (RUS) 458.85

3. Patrick Hausding, Sascha Klein (GER) 440.82

Italian victory in synchro swimming mixed duet technical event

Results:

1. Manila Flamini, Giorgio Minisini (ITA) 90.2979 points

2. Mikhaela Kalancha, Aleksandr Maltsev (RUS) 90.2639

3. Kanako Kitao Spendlove, Bill May (USA) 87.6682

FINA executive director honoured with tree at Duna Arena

A tree was planted at Budapest’s brand new Duna Arena to mark FINA executive director Cornel Marculescu’s 70th birthday on Monday.

Marculescu, who had a significant role in bringing the 17th World Aquatics Championships to Budapest, was greeted in a ceremony by FINA president Julio Maglione, National Development Minister Miklós Seszták, the head of the organising committee, Balázs Fürjes, government commissioner for priority investments in Budapest, and Tamás Gyárfás, vice president of FINA.

Photo: MTI

Photo: MTI

Budapest to host 2024 short course swimming world championships

Budapest has been selected to host the 2024 short course swimming world championships.

International swimming body FINA decided on Monday on the sidelines of the 17th World Aquatics Championships in Budapest that the 2022 short course worlds would be hosted by Kazan, Russia while Budapest will host the event two years later.

Next year, Budapest will host a junior synchronised swimming world championship, and a junior swimming world championship in 2019, to be followed by European championships of swimming, water polo, synchronised swimming and diving in 2020.

From left: Cornel Marculescu, Miklós Seszták, Vlagyimir Leonov, Julio C. Maglione, Zoltán Balog

Human Resources Minister Zoltan Balog highlighted the return on the government and Budapest’s investment in the Duna Arena, a new facility hosting the sporting events, saying that the swimming complex had not been completed for a single occasion.

National Development Minister Miklós Seszták, the head of the organising committee, voiced confidence concerning the success of the 2024 event, and insisted that Budapest had “both the infrastructure and the experience” required to manage a major international sporting event.

Gusztáv Bienerth, head of the Hungarian Swimming Federation, said that “this is an achievement for Hungary, for the Hungarian people, those who bore the burdens of the preparations for the world championships” now under way. “We have used the opportunity that leaders of the swimming world are together and that there is a momentum,” he added.

Tamás Gyárfás, vice president of FINA, who suggested earlier that he would resign if the organisation did not choose Budapest as the site for the 2024 event, said, “I’m staying”.

Photo: MTI

Finance trends in Hungary: automotive and construction sector, budget, labour market and investments

FINA-budapest 2017

See below MTI’s main business and financial news from the previous week:

HUNGARY CPI FALLS TO 1.9 PC IN JUNE

Consumer prices in Hungary rose by an annual 1.9 percent in June, the Central Statistical Office said. The inflation rate slowed from 2.1 percent in May and was slightly under analysts’ estimate for a CPI of 2.0 percent.

AUTOMOTIVE SECTOR LIFTS INDUSTRIAL OUTPUT IN MAY

Output of Hungary’s automotive sector, a key driver of industry in the country, rose by an annual 10.7 percent in May, a second reading of data for the month released by the Central Statistical Office shows. The increase followed an 8.6 percent decline in the sector in April. Read more HERE.

HUNGARY CONSTRUCTION SECTOR OUTPUT JUMPS 35 PC IN MAY

Output of Hungary’s construction sector rose by an annual 35.4 percent in May, data released by the Central Statistical Office (KSH) show. KSH noted that the jump came from a low base.

EIB LENDS MAGYAR EXIMBANK EUR 400 M

The European Investment Bank (EIB) signed an agreement on a 400 million euro loan to Magyar Export-Import Bank (Eximbank) which will be used to finance preferential loans for SMEs and mid-caps in Hungary.

CEVA-PHYLAXIA INAUGURATES EUR 25 M VACCINE PLANT IN BUDAPEST

French-owned veterinary company Ceva-Phylaxia inaugurated a 25 million euro vaccine plant in Budapest. The investment will increase annual production capacity at its base in the capital by a factor of six to 3 million units.

IT SERVICES HUNGARY TO ADD 200 JOBS AT SERVICE CENTRE

IT Services Hungary, a member of the Deutsche Telekom group, will add more than 200 jobs at its service centre in Pécs (S Hungary) by the end of next year, managing director Christopher Wilson said. IT Services Hungary employs 540 people at present. The 1,800 sqm wing was completed at a cost of 350 million forints (EUR 1.14m).

GOVT ALLOWS GUEST WORKERS FROM UKRAINE, SERBIA TO BE EMPLOYED WITHOUT WORK PERMIT

Restrictions have been lifted on employment in Hungary of workers from neighbouring countries that are not European Union member states in 41 occupation categories where there is a shortage of workforce by a June statement of the national economy minister.

SOUTH KOREA’S LOTTE TO EXPAND NW HUNGARY PLANT FOR EUR 13.08m

South Korean company Lotte Advanced Materials will expand its plant making industrial plastics in the Tatabanya-Kornye Industrial Park (NW Hungary) for 4 billion forints (EUR 13.08m), creating almost 50 jobs, managing director Jungchul Jeong told MTI.

FINA CHAMPIONSHIPS BUDGET REACHES HUF EUR 150.37m, PLUS PERMANENT INVESTMENTS of EUR 274.59m

National Development Minister Miklós Seszták put the budget for hosting the FINA World Aquatics Championships at 46.4 billion forints (EUR 150.37m), but noted that permanent developments had been made in Budapest and Balatonfüred worth more than 84 billion forints (EUR 274.59m) in the framework of the contest.

Photo: Károly Árvai/kormany.hu

FINA Aquatics 2017, 3rd day – Women’s water polo first day, Russian victory in women’s synchro swimming duet

Alexandra Patskevich and Svetlana Kolesnichenko of Russia triumphed in the women’s synchro swimming duet technical event of the 17th World Aquatics Championships in Budapest on Sunday. Aurelie Muller of France won the women’s 10 km open water swimming event in Balatonfüred, in western Hungary. Jianfeng Peng of China triumphed in the men’s 1 m springboard diving event. Qian Ren and Yajie Si of China triumphed in the women’s 10 m platform synchro diving event.

Russian victory in women’s synchro swimming duet technical event

Results:

1. Alexandra Patskevich, Svetlana Kolesnichenko (RUS) 95.2036 points

2. Wenwen Jiang, Tingting Jiang (CHN) 94.0775

3. Yelizaveta Yakhno, Anna Voloshyna (UKR) 92.6482

Photo: MTI

French victory in women’s 10 km open water swimming

Results:

1. Aurelie Muller (FRA) 2:00:13.70 hours

2. Samantha Arevalo (ECU) 2:00:17.20

3. Arianna Bridi (ITA) 2:00:17.20

Aurelie Muller (FRA), photo: MTI
Photo: MTI

Chinese victory in men’s 1 m springboard diving

Results:

1. Jianfeng Peng (CHN) 448.40 points

2. Chao He (CHN) 447.20

3. Giovanni Tocci (ITA) 444.25

Chinese victory in women’s 10 m platform synchro diving

Results:

1. Qian Ren, Yajie Si (CHN) 352.56 points

2. Kim Mi Rae, Kim Kuk Hyang (PRK) 336.48

3. Pandelela Pamg, Jun Hoong Cheong (MAS) 328.74

Women’s water polo, 1st day: Italy, China, Spain and USA claimed the victory

Eight matches in the first day: that is our programme for the start of the 17th FINA World Championships at Hajós Alfréd Swimming Complex.

W1 Group A:

Italy-Canada 10-4 (1-2, 2-0, 3-0, 4-2)
Hajós Alfréd Swimming Complex, referees: Naumov (RUS), Mercier (FRA)

Italy: Gorleno – Garibotti 1, Queriolo 2, Radicchi, Aiello 1, Bianconi 2, Emmolo 1. Subs: Tabani, Cotti 2, Dario, Picozzi 1, Palmieri. Head coach: Fabio Conti

Canada: Gaudreault – Alogbo, Wright 1, Eggens 2, Christmas, Robinson, Fournier. Subs: McKee 1, Crevier, Bekhazi, Lenay-Lavoie. McKelvey. Head coach: Teocharis Pavlidis

Extramen: 1/6 and 1/3
Penalties: 1/1 and 1/1
Exlused: Robinson (CAN)

World League silver medallist Canada started the game really well their defense was great including goalkeeper Jessica Gaudreault good performance – she was the best goalkeeper in the World League Super Final in June.

But in the second quarter Italy started to dominate the game and made a spectacular 5-0 series. In the second half of the match Italian ladies played in an other dimension and finally won the game confidently.

W2 Group A:

Brazil-China 4-11 (2-4, 0-2, 2-1, 0-4)
Hajós Alfréd Swimming Complex, referres: Flahive (AUS), Ohme (GER)

Brazília: Abla – Zablith 1, Cardos 1, Amaral, Dias 1, Bahia, Duarte 1. Subs: K. Ferreira, S. Ferreira, Belorio. Head coach: Eduardo Abla

Kína: Peng – Mei, Xiong, Niu 1, Guo, C. Zhang 3, Z. Zhang 2. Subs: Shen (goalkeeper), Bi, Nong 1, D. Zhang 1, Chen 2, J. Zhong 1. Head coach: Dali Gong

Extraman: 1/6 and 2/12
Exclused: Bahia (Brazília)

After a dinamic start the match soon brought us the first goals of the game. From 2-0 the Chinese team managed to turn the game around, therefore by the end of the quarter the Chinese lead grew to two points. The sharp and fast attacks of the Asian team has proved to be impossible to defend for the Brazilian team. In the third quarter China continued its agressive attacks, but the Brazilians managed to make use of their opportunities better therefore they emerged as the winner of the quarter. The constantly offensive Chinese tactics proved to be more resulting, the Brazilians tried to score some goals from a long distance but mostly failed. The match ended with three strong Chinese hits.

W3 Group B

New Zealand-Spain 2-10 (0-3, 1-1, 0-2, 1-4)
Hajós Alfréd Swimming Complex, referees: Salnichenko (RUS), Molnár P. (HUN)

New Zealand: Minleich – Mason 1, Lopes da Silva 1, Stoneman, Bowry, Hudson, Pye. Subs. Lewis, Ferigo, Doyle, Houghton. Head coach: Andrea Winstanley-Smith

Spain: Ramos – A. Espar 2, B. Ortiz, M. Ortiz, Gomez 2, C. Espar, P. Rovirosa 3. Subs. Bach, Carrasco, Forca 1, Barriga 1, A. Rovirosa 1. Head coach: Miguel Oca

Extraman: 0/9 and 5/10
Penalties: 0/0 and 1/1
Exlused: Mason Kelly (New Zealand)

In 2014 Spain had a fantastic event at Hajós Alfréd Swimming Complex as they won the European Championships in Budapest. Now they have big aims for the 17th FINA World Championships also and for these goals a clear and easy victory against New Zealand was the first step.

Photo: MTI

There was no question during the game, kiwis only had some moments (and their defense was suprisingly good) but Spain dominated the whole game and claimed the three points.

W4 Group B

Republic of South Africa–United States 2-24 (0-6, 0-7, 2-5, 0-6)
Hajós Alfréd Swimming Complex, referees: Garibaldi (ARG), Daners (URU)

South Africa: Penny – Paley, Schooling 1, Hallendorf, Barret 1, White, Nixon. Subs: Thomas, Faulman, Wessels, Keeny, Smit, Manson. Head Coach: Gareth Samuel

United States: Stone – Seidemann 5, Fattal 3, Raney, Neushul Kiley 3, Neushul Jamie 6, Fischer Makenzie 2, Williams 1. Subs: Musselmann, Hauschild 2, Steffens, Fischer Aria 2, Longan. Head Coach: Krikorian Adam

Extramen: 1/5 and 2/4

The whole match was unquestionably dominated by the American national team. They lead grew to six goals by the end of the first quarter. Almost every single American shot ended up in the South African goal, while their opponents could barely launch any successful attack against them.  The match ended with a crushing American victory.

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FINA Aquatics 2017, 2nd day – Four different countries get the first four gold medals in Hungary

Maddison Keeney of Australia triumphed in the women’s 1 m springboard diving event of the 17th World Aquatics Championships in Budapest on Saturday. Qian Ren and Junjie Lian of China won the mixed 10 m synchronised diving event. Marc-Antoine Olivier of France triumphed in the men’s 5 km open water swimming event of the 17th World Aquatics Championships in Balatonfüred, in western Hungary. Svetlana Kolesnichenko of Russia won the synchro swimming solo technical event.

Opening ceremony in Balatonfüred

The 17th FINA World Championship have officially started in Balatonfüred (Lake Balaton) as well. At the opening ceremony FINA President Julio César Maglione praised the accomplishment of organisers. The President expressed his gratitude for Viktor Orbán, Prime Minister of Hungary, István Bóka, the Mayor of host city, Balatonfüred and FINA’s Hungarian Vice-President Tamás Gyárfás in particular. According to Maglione, Balatonfüred will serve as a great and worthwhile venue for the open water swimming tournament.

In his speech István Bóka, Mayor of Balatonfüred emphasized, that the city has been committed to open water swimming since 2014 and there are long term plans. “All the facilities were completed in time, and the World Championships enhance the reputation of the city” said Bóka.

The opening ceremony featured a half-an-hour fashion show by famous Hungarian designer Kati Zoob. The collection was primarily inspired by the traditions of Anna Ball held in Balatonfüred every year.

Australian victory in women’s 1 m springboard diving

Maddison Keeney (AUS) became  the second world champion in this event  representing Australia after Irina Lashko (AUS) won in 2003.2003  was also the last time China failed to make it to the podium in this event. Chen Yiwen (CHN) finished fourth.Nadezhda Bazhina (RUS) claimed silver, the best Russian result in this event since Yulia Pakhalina (RUS) won the world title in 2009.With Elena Bertocchi  (ITA) claiming the bronze medal, Italy are the only country with at least one medal in this event in the last four editions (including 2017).

Results:

1. Maddison Keeney (AUS) 314.95 points

2. Nadezhda Bazhina (RUS) 304.70

3. Elena Bertocchi (ITA) 296.40

Chinese victory in mixed 10 m synchronised diving event

Results:

1. Qian Ren, Junjie Lian (CHN) 352.98 points

2. Matthew Lee, Lois Toulson (GBR) 323.28

3. Kim Mi Rae, Hyon Il Mong (PRK) 318.12

French victory in men’s 5 km open water swimming – Balatonfüred

Olivier had claimed bronze in the men’s 10km at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.Mario Sanzullo (ITA) took silver and gave Italy its 10th medal in the men’s 5km event at the World Championships. Only Germany has won more medals in this event (12).Timothy Shuttleworth (GBR) claimed the first bronze medal for Great Britain in open water swimming at the World Championships. Great Britain had already won gold (2) and silver (4) medals in open water events.Svetlana Kolesnichenko (RUS) won her 13th gold medal in synchro swimming at the World Championships, and her first in an individual event.Ona Carbonell (ESP) took silver to claim her 21st medal in synchro swimming at the World Championships. Only Russia’s Svetlana Romashina (RUS, 22) and Natalia Ishchenko (RUS, 22) have won more medals.Anna Voloshyna (UKR) claimed her fifth medal, all bronze. This was her first medal in the solo technical, after finishing fourth in this event in 2013 and 2015. Lian Junjie (CHN, 3 November 2000) became the first man born after 1 January 2000 to win a medal in diving at the world championships. His current diving partner Ren Qian (CHN, 20 February 2001) became the first woman born in this century to win a medal when she took silver in 10m platform women in 2015.Hyon II Myong (bronze) became the first man from DPR Korea to claim a world championship medal in diving.

Results:

1. Marc-Antoine Olivier (FRA) 54:31.40 min

2. Mario Sanzullo (ITA) 54:32.10

3. Timothy Shuttleworth (GBR) 54:42.10

7. Kristóf Rasovszky (HUN)

31. Márk Papp (HUN)

Men’s 5 km open water swimming – Balatonfüred, photo: MTI
Marc-Antoine Oliver, Mario Sanzullo and Timothy Shuttleworth , photo: MTI

Russian victory in synchro swimming solo technical event

Results:

1. Svetlana Kolesnichenko (RUS) 95.2036 points

2. Ona Carbonell (ESP) 93.6534

3. Anna Voloshyna (UKR) 91.9992

Photo: MTI

Russian victory in men’s 3 m springboard synchro diving

Results:

1. Ilia Zakharov, Yevgeni Kuznetsov (RUS) 450.30 points

2. Xie Siyi, Cao Yuan (CHN) 443.40

3. Oleg Kolodiy, Illya Kvasha (UKR) 429.99

Photo: MTI

FINA World Aquatics Championships gets under way in Budapest – PHOTOS

The 17th FINA World Aquatics Championships officially got under way in Budapest with the event’s opening ceremony on Friday evening.

The biggest sports event in Hungary’s history, the 17th FINA World Aquatics Championships began in Budapest on Friday evening with a spectacular opening ceremony.

The event began with a choral work by Kossuth Award winning world famous Hungarian composer Péter Eötvös called Sound of the Danube, which he wrote at the age of 12, with new lyrics written especially for the World Championships by poet Dániel Varró. The work was performed by the Cantemus children’s choir on the huge stage set up on the Pest bank of the Danube at the foot of Chain Bridge.

The performance was followed by a presentation on the link between water and culture in Hungarian history. The “journey in time” began in the Roman city of Aquincum and continued with important episodes from the time of the Hungarian conquest of the Carpathian Basin, renaissance Buda, King Matthias and the era of the hussars. Next came an excerpt from the opera Háry János by Zoltán Kodály with the involvement of 160 dancers, after which the opening ceremony remembered Franz Liszt, whose favourite places to compose music included the bank of the Danube.

Sports came to the forefront following the cultural-historical block, beginning with an homage to the first Hungarian winner of an Olympic gold medal, swimming legend Alfréd Hajós, after which the National Anthem was played in honour of Hungary’s most successful aquatic athletes.

Next came an introduction to the Budapest World Aquatics Championships’ venues, followed by a procession of flags from the participating countries, ending with the flag of Hungary, which was taken onto the stage by Olympic and world champion water polo player Dénes Varga.

Mayor of Budapest István Tarlós welcomed the World Championships’ competitors, organisers and viewers.

In his opening speech, President of the Republic János Áder recalled that Hungary’s first Olympic champion, Alfréd Hajós was also the first ever winner of an Olympic swimming event, and in addition to being an outstanding athlete, was also an excellent architect; one of venues of the World Championships on Margaret Island bears his name.

Following the speeches came the oaths of the athletes and judges. In the presence of divers Flóra Fazekas-Gondos and Villő Kormos, synchronised swimmers Szofi Kiss and Anett Schwarcz, and water polo players Manhercz Krisztián and Orsolya Takács from the Hungarian team, the oaths were spoken by two young swimmers, Olympic bronze medallist Tamás Kenderesi and ten-time junior European champion Ajna Késely, while starting judge of the swimming finals Viktor Bodrogi took the oath in representation of the judges and officials.

The World Championship logo also appeared for the first time as one of the highlights of the top sporting event ever held in Hungary, launched by one of history’s best ever female swimmers, five-time Olympic gold medallist Krisztina Egerszegi. The Fontana logo will appear at all future FINA World Championship events.

The opening ceremony ended with a rendition of the official song of the World Championships, performed by Gigi Radics and Nikolas Takács, followed by a concert by three-time Grammy award winning American artist CeeLo Green, who performed his hit songs Bright Lights Bigger City and Crazy.

The event was followed by a colourful firework display.

Some 2000 athletes from over 180 countries will be competing at the FINA World Aquatics Championships between 14 and 30 July in six disciplines: swimming, diving, synchronized swimming, water polo, and open water swimming.

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, members of the government and several former Hungarian Olympic champions took part in the ceremony.

FINA President Julio C. Maglione

In his speech at the ceremony, FINA President Julio C. Maglione said the organisation “could not have selected a better host country” for the championships.

 

The 17th FINA World Aquatics Championships in Budapest – opening ceremony, photo: mti
The 17th FINA World Aquatics Championships in Budapest – opening ceremony, photo: mti
The 17th FINA World Aquatics Championships in Budapest – opening ceremony, photo: mti
The 17th FINA World Aquatics Championships in Budapest – opening ceremony, photo: mti
The 17th FINA World Aquatics Championships in Budapest – opening ceremony, photo: mti
The 17th FINA World Aquatics Championships in Budapest – opening ceremony, photo: mti
The 17th FINA World Aquatics Championships in Budapest – opening ceremony, photo: mti
The 17th FINA World Aquatics Championships in Budapest – opening ceremony, photo: mti
The 17th FINA World Aquatics Championships in Budapest – opening ceremony, photo: mti

Photo: MTI

10 things you didn’t know about the World Aquatics Championship

There are only a couple days left until the 2017 World Aquatics Championship kicks off at Budapest, for the first time hosted by Hungary, so szeretlekmagyarorszag.hu has collected 10 facts that you might not have known about the event.

1. It is the World Championships for aquatic sports such as swimming, diving, high diving, open water swimming, synchronised swimming, and water polo. The “FINA” part of the official name is the abbreviation of Fédération Internationale de Natation, the name of the national association for aquatic sports.

2. Originally, Guadalajara was supposed to host this year’s championship, but Hungary took over the task when they withdrew in February 2015. This means, that this championship was organised in the shortest time ever since Hungary only had 2 years to make this real.

3. Hungary participated with really good achievements in the past: after the 2015 championship, Hungary had 31 gold-, 24 silver- and 28 bronze medals altogether, won by swimmers and polo players. Hungary is seventh, concerning the number of medals won, the USA is the leader of the board with 227 gold-, 180 silver- and 125 bronze medals.

4. At the 1991 world championship, at Perth, Australia, the Hungarian participants won 5 gold-, 2 silver- and 2 bronze medals. Both Krisztina Egerszegi and Tamás Darnyi were world champions in 2 categories each.

5. The opening ceremony at Budapest invites you for a special experience: there will be four barges, all of them weighing 1600 tonnes, stages altogether sized 3000 square metres, 2000 costumes, 40 drones and over 510 artists participating.

6. 76 world champion titles in 6 different categories wait for the competitors to win them in the following 16 days.

7. The newly built Danube Arena is the most special among the venues, where there are 5 pools and 12 ten-story apartment houses could be fit into the pools. 15000 spectators could be fit into the arena, but the scaffolding will be dismantled after the championship so that only 6000 people could fit in there. The remaining elements will be recycled.

FINA Budapest 2017
Photo: fina-budapest2017.com

8. The venue over the lake at Városliget is the first swimming pool ever in the history of the world championship that is not built in a stadium but in nature.

9. 85000 spectators are expected to come to the event, so it has great touristic significance as well.

10. Some of the venues, like the Danube Arena built close to the Pest side of the Árpád bridge, or the Hajós Alfréd National Swimming Stadium at Margaret Island, or the high diving venue on the Danube, are accessible via boat as they are built along the Danube.

featured photo: Gergely Botár

Ce: bm

Organiser hails ‘record participation’ in Budapest Aquatics

fina Budapest 2017

Some 2,400 swimmers from over 200 countries will participate in the 17th FINA World Aquatics Championships starting in Budapest on Friday, Miklós Borsa, spokesman for organiser Bp2017 Nonprofit, told a press conference.

Borsa said that the athletes will be accompanied by another 1,600 accredited people from their teams.

The event will have two official opening ceremonies, one held by the River Danube in Budapest on Friday evening and another at Balatonfüred by Lake Balaton on Saturday morning. During the Friday opening event, air space and the river itself in Budapest will be closed down, while road traffic restrictions are expected in the Inner City.

Balatonfüred, photo: MTI
Budapest – City Park (Városliget)
Batthyány Square – Batthyány tér, Budapest, Photo: MTI

Meanwhile, Tamas Gyárfás, vice president of FINA, told MTI that he would resign from his FINA post if on July 17 the organisation did not choose Budapest as the site of the 2024 short course swimming world championships.

FINA is scheduled to decide on the 2022 and 2024 “short course worlds” on Monday, during the championships in Hungary.

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Photo: MTI

Watch here the official song for the 17th FINA World Championships – VIDEO

The official song for the 17th FINA World Championships, created by songwriter of Hungarian Kata Kozma, Áron Sebestyén and Szandra Iván. Entitled “We are Water” (in Hungarian: “Nincs határ”) will be presented by Hungarian musician Tamás Veréb. The song will have an English and also a Hungarian version.

Title: We are Water / Nincs határ
Composer: Kata Kozma, Áron Sebestyén
Text: Kata Kozma, Áron Sebestyen
Hungarian text: Iván Szandra
Artist: Tamás Veréb

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Fan zones where you can watch the FINA World Championships for free

hungarians cheer fina water

If you’re wondering where you should watch the competitions of the World Aquatics Championships, the organisers got you covered. Hvg.hu writes that there’s going to be fan zones in Budapest and Balatonfüred where you can cheer.

The fan zones, which can be visited for free, will welcome everyone with huge screens every day during the championships from 9 am until the end of the races. “We welcome fans with concerts, colourful programmes and playgrounds so that all age groups can do something entertaining during or between the races” said Miklós Borsa, the spokesperson of the Organising Committee.

There’s going to be two fan zones in Budapest, one near the Dagály Beach and the other in the Athletics Centre on Margaret Island, while there’s also going to be a fan zone in Balatonfüred, on the Tagore Promenade.

A lot of attention will be paid to the safety of the zones, so organisers forewarn visitors to expect strict safety measures upon entering. They suggest arriving one hour before the race you’d like to watch in the fan zone.

It’s forbidden to take in objects that are not allowed in sport events in general. For instance, umbrellas, bigger flagpoles and inapposite banners will have to be left outside. You’ll be able to take in a 0.5 litre bottle to the fan zones, but these are prohibited at sport venues, where buffets will be functioning instead.

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The organisers will provide storage units at the entrance and take care of your objects until the end of the programmes. You can read more about the regulations on the official website of the championships.

Furthermore, we’re pretty sure that bars, pubs and restaurants all over the country will also broadcast the races.

Featured image: www.fina-budapest2017.com

Ce: bm

Budapest will become the Capital of Sport – Interview with Sándor Balogh

Sándor Balogh

The GLOBS Magazine published an interview with Sándor Balogh, Finance Director of the FINA Aquatic Championships and President of the African-Hungarian Union which you can read on Daily News Hungary as well: 

Now that the preparations for the Aquatic World Championships have reached the finish line, many may have forgotten that originally Hungary should have organised this event only in 4 years’ time and not in 2017. How have you ensured that the urgency is not reflected in the preparations?

Many may not remember, but originally Hungary was granted the right to hold the event in 2021, though when, in 2015, Mexico, for financial reasons, withdrew from organising the 2017 World Championships, Hungary stepped in. That is why we have had only two years instead of the usual six available for preparation. In order to finish everything on time, we have needed enthusiastic and devoted contributions from many people: more than 5,000 are working on the project and they are assisted by approximately 3,500 enthusiastic volunteers. The actual organising committee consists of 200 people. The main point, and also the secret of the success, is that everybody feels that they own the project and put in the best endeavours. Naturally, we also needed full commitment from the Government and Ministers Zoltán Balogh, Sándor Pintér, Miklós Seszták and Péter Szijjártó did everything they could to help us achieve our goal. Now we can say that Hungary will soon organise the greatest event in its sporting history. We usually say that these are the third largest World Championships in respect of the number of spectators and in their complexity, coming directly behind the Olympics and the Football World Championships. The events of the World Championships include swimming, water polo, synchronised swimming, diving, high diving and open water swimming. There is no doubt that the organisation of the FINA World Championships in Hungary has brought forward the launch of a number of capital investment projects that were already planned. The majority of those planned projects only needed accelerating in a concentrated manner, facilitating revival and reconstruction according to a common goal, in a co-ordinated manner. It is a long time since so many development projects were taking place at once in Budapest and that is set to continue with the implementation of the Zsigmond Kemény Programme. Budapest will become the capital of sports. Margit Island is undergoing complete reconstruction and not only the Hajós Alfréd National Sports Complex but also the Császár-Komjádi pool complex are being refurbished.

The largest project has been was the construction of the Duna Arena complex that can host 12,000 people. In the summer, the Arena will be the venue of the swimming and diving event. After the Championships, the extended stands will be demolished and passed on for ordinary ever day use. One Japanese delegation has already expressed an interest in using the stands in the 2020 Championships.

The rest will remain…

That is true. The rest of the facilities will remain here for the sport-loving residents of Budapest and for those others who are also attracted to the Hungarian capital as Budapest is the city of water, aquatic experiences and sport. The development of the country1s image and the increase of tourist attractions are among the greatest positive effects of such global sporting events. Our goal is to keep tourists coming to Hungary, both to Budapest and to elsewhere in the country for as long as possible and for that, we need programmes. The events will be adapted to, and integrated into, the other cultural activities of the city. Together we can show that Budapest is the capital of sport, culture and beauty. In addition to the FINA World Championships in Budapest, the summer offers many other exciting programmes. Those include: the Formula 1 Grand Prix, the Red Bull Air Race, the European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF) in Győr, the Sziget Festival, the Judo World Championships and the FINA World Championships followed by the FINA Masters World Championships. In addition, the performances of the Margit Island Open Air Theatre, which is extremely close to the venues of the aquatic World Championships, also fit very well into the summer programme of events.

The events were deliberately planned to take place at emblematic venues so that the public may also learn more about our historic and cultural monuments. How much did that idea complicate organisation?

Usually, the Aquatic World Championships are held at one venue but that is not the case here. Given the short time we had available, this idea was another challenge. In addition to the sights of Budapest that surround the event venues, I must also mention the other main venue of Balatonfüred, where athletes will compete in the open water swimming. Each event will be broadcast on huge display screens and we are seeking to project our best image to the world and provide a long lasting experience for the spectators and encouragement for all the visitors to return to Hungary.

How do you select the volunteers?

The selection process has been taking place for more than a year. In general, we have had very good experiences with our selection, though there is also a disadvantage. Many things can happen in the life of a person over a period of a year, so there have been changes. However, we have also managed to benefit from the early organisation. Most volunteers are professionally interested young people who intend to obtain work experience, establish contacts and also get to know world famous athletes. They have applied for various roles such as ‘team companion’, ‘medal hunter’ or ‘airport receptionist’. Once we had tested their aptitude, we ran a number of situational tests to make sure that they would be able to cope in all situations. The volunteers will have to deal with athletes and visitors from 207 FINA member, swimming federations and from more than 190 countries who have expressed their intention to take part in the championships in Hungary. In Kazany, the total number of spectators was approximately 6 million, but we plan to beat that record, too.

Gusztáv Bienerth, president of the Hungarian Swimming Federation and Sándor Balogh, Finance Director of the FINA Aquatic Championships and President of the African-Hungarian Union

The international delegations are arriving one after the other to check the work processes. What kind of feedback have you received?

Everyone is looking forward to the event. Many have commented, with admiration, that we have managed to create so many things in such a short time. This event is a good opportunity to prove that Hungary is capable of organising such a major event in a such a short time and that it could also be a target country for other sporting events.

As the President of the African-Hungarian Union (AHU), what are your tasks and objectives?

Our last event was ‘Africa Day’, on 24 May, where we celebrated the liberation of Africa from its colonial past with the African Ambassadors, Honorary Consuls and other diplomats serving in the region. When it was founded, 11 years ago, the African-Hungarian Union set an objective of reintroducing Africa to Hungary. Many things have happened in Africa over the past few decades and now Africa is the continent of the future. GDP is growing spectacularly, the middle classes are expanding and higher education institutions are also emerging. With its opening to the south policy, Hungary has also recognised what the African-Hungarian Union has been emphasising for almost 10 years. Over recent years the political, economic and cultural relations between Hungary and the African countries have become more dynamic. At present, there are thousands of African students studying in Hungary. Later those students may become sort of ‘civil diplomats’, because when a person lives in a different country for a longer time, they general come to regard it as their second home and promote it as such. Sports culture is also developing in Africa and Hungary has played a great role in that. For example, Hungary supplied the equipment for the Ghanaian water polo team. Like Nelson Mandela, I also believe that sports have the power to change the world. Sports need talent and diligence and, with sports, you can reach the top of the world even if you were not born into a position to do so. That is the slogan for our work. I am very pleased to be able to tell you that, in the near future, the African-Hungarian Union is to build Hungarian schools with optional sports programmes in five countries, starting in Uganda and Botswana. Unfortunately, as much as I would love to, I cannot send everyone to Africa, though I do think that everyone should visit it at least once in their lifetime as we can learn a lot from the people living there, for example about the human relationship with nature or human relationships themselves.

When do you next visit Africa?

I am plan to go every day! Right now, the organisation of the Aquatic World Championships requires all my energy and attention, but I will leave for Africa on 1 September, as soon as this giant project is over.

If you would like to read more interesting articles on GLOBS Magazine, please click HERE
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CNN’s reasons to watch the FINA World Championships in Budapest

This weekend marks the beginning of the World Aquatics Championships, the biggest sport event Hungary has ever hosted. Sport lovers from all over the world will focus on our country and cheer for their favourite swimmers, water polo players and divers between the 14th and 30th of July. CNN collected five reasons to prove that you should definitely tune in for the races.

No Phelps or Lochte

Two of the most successful athletes in the history of swimming won’t be present in Budapest due to different reasons. The 23-time Olympic champion Michael Phelps announced his retirement after the Rio Olympic Games, while the 6-time Olympic champion Ryan Lochte is serving his ban for an alcohol-fuelled case. This means that the chance of new stars to be born in Hungary is quite high.

Scenic location

The athletes will compete in more than 200 events during the two weeks at five iconic venues. After Mexico dropped out last minute as a host, the organisers had to build the main venue in less than two years. CNN also commemorates the rich Hungarian aquatics tradition and expects enthusiastic crowds at all venues.

“Hungary is a country of waters; we have lakes, we have rivers, we have everything. We want to show it to the world, not only those who come to Budapest but to the spectators as well” FINA’s Miklós Borsa told CNN Sport.

The water polo competition will be held in the renovated Alfréd Hajós swimming complex on the Margaret Island, which has been the home of legendary Hungarian teams since 1930. Synchronised swimming will be staged in a picturesque environment in the City Park, high divers will have the Parliament as a background for their moves, while open water swimming will be held in Balatonfüred.

The venue for synchronised swimming – Photo: www.fina-budapest2017.com

New stars, old legends

As mentioned above, new stars are expected to be born in Budapest. Who will be able to take the place of the absent Phelps, Lochte and Missy Franklin? When it comes to Hungarian athletes, all eyes will be on Katinka Hosszú and László Cseh. Americans probably have most of their hope in Katie Ledecky, while the Brits are curious to see whether or not diving superstar Tom Daley will take back his throne.

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High velocity diving

The sport of high diving evolved from cliff diving, and this will be the third time that it is an official discipline at the World Championships. Men will jump off from a 27 metres tall platform, while women will do the same from a 20 metres tall platform. This means that divers can reach a very high speed so they’ll enter the water with their feet first. It will definitely be a unique spectacle on the coast of the Danube.

FINA Budapest 2017
Photo: www.fina-budapest2017.com

World records are set to fall

Even though the Olympic Games was held last year, several world records are expected to be broken in Hungary. It is a tendency that athletes perform outstandingly well in post-Olympic years, so get ready for many exciting races in the Dagály Swimming Complex.

Featured image: Szilvia Őszi

Ce: bm