Swimming event starts with water spectacular
By Ma Yue |
July 17, 2011, Sunday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
Water was the constant theme at the Oriental Sports Center's indoor stadium yesterday as Shanghai made a colorful splash with an elaborate hour-long multimedia song and visual presentation to open the 14th FINA World Championships.
To cap off an eventful day, Shanghai-based Wu Minxia and her partner He Zi of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region scooped the first gold on offer in the women's 3-meter synchronized springboard diving to give a jump start to the host nation in the championships.
The visual treat took off as government leaders, FINA officials and International Olympic Committee head Jacque Rogge took their seats promptly at 8pm. The evening opened with the theme "The Highest Good Resembles Water," which is a phrase borrowed from an ancient Chinese text, Tao Te Ching, by Taoism founder Lao Tzu that stresses the importance of water as a symbol of generosity and harmony.
It was followed by a visually stunning display of water sports, turning the 50-meter- long and 25-meter-wide swimming pool into a giant stage for a serene laser show in radiant colors.
The packed 18,000-seater stadium roared as Chinese baritone Liao Changyong interspersed his performance with a plunge into the waters - literally - for his song "Let's Swim" to stay as close to the theme as possible. The idea was clearly to invoke more audience participation and support for the two-week event.
Former world and Olympic champions Zhuang Yong, Luo Xuejuan and Le Jingyi joined in the festivity with a rendition of "Shining Track," while pop singers Coco Lee and Sun Nan ended the evening with the theme song "Dreams on the Oriental Sea."
Russian synchronized swimmer Natalia Ischenko took the customary athlete's oath while China's Ji Rongkang represented the referees.
After a flag parade by students, Shanghai Mayor Han Zheng, who is also the chairman of the organizing committee, expressed his thanks and welcomed athletes and delegates to kick off the two-week-long competition.
"This is your championships. I hope you carry a fond memory of Shanghai with you," Han said.
It seemed to have its desired effect as one female spectator surnamed Mao was clearly charmed by the evening. "It's beautiful," she said. "What impressed me most was when Liao Changyong jumped into the pool in the middle of his song. He swims so fast!"
Earlier, Wu Minxia and He Zi dominated the 3-meter springboard synchronized event with a near flawless routine.
Wu and He, who became a pair after Chinese diving star Guo Jingjing announced her retirement this year, clinched the first gold of the championships for China.
To cap off an eventful day, Shanghai-based Wu Minxia and her partner He Zi of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region scooped the first gold on offer in the women's 3-meter synchronized springboard diving to give a jump start to the host nation in the championships.
The visual treat took off as government leaders, FINA officials and International Olympic Committee head Jacque Rogge took their seats promptly at 8pm. The evening opened with the theme "The Highest Good Resembles Water," which is a phrase borrowed from an ancient Chinese text, Tao Te Ching, by Taoism founder Lao Tzu that stresses the importance of water as a symbol of generosity and harmony.
It was followed by a visually stunning display of water sports, turning the 50-meter- long and 25-meter-wide swimming pool into a giant stage for a serene laser show in radiant colors.
The packed 18,000-seater stadium roared as Chinese baritone Liao Changyong interspersed his performance with a plunge into the waters - literally - for his song "Let's Swim" to stay as close to the theme as possible. The idea was clearly to invoke more audience participation and support for the two-week event.
Former world and Olympic champions Zhuang Yong, Luo Xuejuan and Le Jingyi joined in the festivity with a rendition of "Shining Track," while pop singers Coco Lee and Sun Nan ended the evening with the theme song "Dreams on the Oriental Sea."
Russian synchronized swimmer Natalia Ischenko took the customary athlete's oath while China's Ji Rongkang represented the referees.
After a flag parade by students, Shanghai Mayor Han Zheng, who is also the chairman of the organizing committee, expressed his thanks and welcomed athletes and delegates to kick off the two-week-long competition.
"This is your championships. I hope you carry a fond memory of Shanghai with you," Han said.
It seemed to have its desired effect as one female spectator surnamed Mao was clearly charmed by the evening. "It's beautiful," she said. "What impressed me most was when Liao Changyong jumped into the pool in the middle of his song. He swims so fast!"
Earlier, Wu Minxia and He Zi dominated the 3-meter springboard synchronized event with a near flawless routine.
Wu and He, who became a pair after Chinese diving star Guo Jingjing announced her retirement this year, clinched the first gold of the championships for China.
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