The world will be welcomed to the 10th FINA World Swimming Championships (25m) in style today, with the event’s spectacular opening ceremony.
- Original score and light show will tell Dubai story
The show, which takes place at 6pm, is in two parts – the grand opening of the state-of-the-art Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Sports Complex and the opening of the Championships.
Organised by event management company, Prisme, the ceremony tells an artistic tale that begins with the nomadic heritage of the UAE, travels through the golden sands of the desert and concludes with the arrival at the coastal port of Dubai.
The theme of water, echoed in the Championships’ colours of turquoise and aquamarine is central to the show. It will showcase the marriage between sport and culture, capturing both the traditional Arabic heritage and modern innovation that are the two faces of Dubai.
A Parade of Nations will also take place and a representative from each of the Championships’ 148 countries will be introduced to the spectators.
An original score has been composed for the extravaganza and during the opening of the Championships there will be live violin music, a light show and acrobats suspended from the roof of the giant pool complex.
“It is fitting that this event is opened by such a spectacular show,†said Dr Khalid al Zahed, Vice-Championships Director. “We are expecting an unrivalled sporting performance from the athletes and both they and our incredible venue deserve the best introduction to the world that we can give them.â€
Tickets to the Championships are available at the door, at the Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Sports Complex, which is located on the Dubai Bypass Road (E611) or can be purchased at selected Spinneys stores in Dubai and Abu Dhabi as well as online at www.boxofficeme.com.
