President of Tatarstan takes part in XV World Aquatics Championships opening ceremony

The championships take place in the capital of Catalonia from the 19th of July to the 4th of August. 520 million people from all over the world will watch 2,500 athletes competing. High Diving (27 meter platform) is included in the competitions' program for the first time in World Championships' history.

The ceremony started at 10 p.m. on the 19th of July with a theatricalized preface, as children read the official manifesto in three languages. After a colorful show featuring swimmers, acrobats and free-runners, the participants' parade took place.

Xavier Trias, Mayor of Barcelona, and Julio Maglione, President of FINA, addressed the ceremony's participants. Artur Mas, President of Catalonia, declared the championship open.

According to press service of the President of the Republic of Tatarstan, Radik Gimatdinov, Aide to President of the Republic of Tatarstan for Foreign Economic Affairs, Rafis Burganov, Minister of Youth Affairs, Sport and Tourism of the Republic of Tatarstan, and Vladimir Leonov, Director General of Executive Directorate "Kazan-2013" also took part in the ceremony.