200 days to go to Kazan 2015: ISS crew sends greetings from space

The symbol of the 16th FINA World Championships is a special barrel filled with water from the Kazanka River where the open water swimming and high diving tournaments will take place. Together with the Soyuz TMA-14M crew, the barrel travelled to the International Space Station aboard the space capsule. Currently, there are six astronauts on the ISS. All of them are part of the 41/42 long-term expedition crew led by Barry Wilmore. Three of them are Russians: Alexander Samokutyaev, Elena Serova and Anton Shkaplerov. Today they took time away from their research to congratulate all fans of aquatic sports on a special occasion - 200 days to go to the 2015 FINA World Championships in Kazan. 

"Our country has kicked off a series of major international sporting events - we've already hosted the best Summer Universiade and fantastic Olympic Games. There are just several months left before the FINA World Championships, which is yet another mega sporting event. 

We are pleased to also make our own contribution to the preparation of the upcoming event and to remind once again that the symbol of the 16th FINA World Championships is here with us in space.

Russia is famous for its brilliant athletic accomplishments and now we are listed among the best organisers of major sporting events. Busy and important days of preparation lie ahead and we wish the Championships organisers to complete their task without strain and strictly according to plan. As for athletes who are currently gearing for the Championships at all corners of the globe, we would like to wish them to reach their peak form so that these competitions will be not only the most well-organised but also most dramatic and action-packed!" the message says.