2,651 athletes from 190 countries to participate in 2015 FINA worlds

2,651 athletes from 190 countries confirmed their participation in the 2015 FINA World Championships. Prime Minister of the Republic of Tatarstan, Ildar Khalikov, announced this today at the meeting of the Organising Committee for the 16th FINA World Championships 2015 in Kazan and the 16th FINA World Masters Championships. The meeting was held at the Government House of the Republic of Tatarstan, with a live broadcast to the media.

Ildar Khalikov reminded that over 13 functional working groups were established to manage the preparation and delivery of the Championships. Leaders of each group reported on the progress made in the build-up to the upcoming international event. 

450,000 tickets went on sale for sporting events, for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the FINA World Championships, and for the Pilgrim show. As of today, 160,000 tickets have already been sold, with 16,000 tickets being purchased by foreign citizens. Official ticket outlets are located in Kazan at the Korston Hotel and Mall, at the Kazan Arena Stadium, at the Agropark, in the Russian Post and Tattelecom offices, at four metro stations. Tickets are also available at the webbsites www.ticketkazan2015.com and www.kazan2015.com.

The FINA Water World Park will be open every day 12:00–22:00 from 24 July to 16 August. The Park's area is more than 5 hectares, the capacity is 20,000 people. 

516 volunteers from 20 regions of the country, as well as volunteers from 10 other countries are reported to have arrived in Kazan for the FINA World Championships. 

The forecasted global television audience is expected to be around 4.5 bln viewers. The organisers will broadcast not only the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, but also the competitions, which are very popular with the audience. 11 OB vans, 70 cameras, and 95 commentators' positions have been organised at sports venues in Kazan. There are 8 OB vans and 25 cameras at the Kazan Arena Stadium, 2 OB vans and 15 cameras at the Aquatics Palace, 1 OB van and 12 cameras at the Kazanka Venue. 

Among key events of the 16th FINA World Championships are: July 18 - kickoff of non-official training sessions, July 19 - kickoff of official diving training sessions, July 20 - official synchronised swimming and open water swimming training sessions, July 23 - official water polo training session, July 24 - opening day of the 2015 FINA World Championships, July 28 - official swimming training, July 31 - official training sessions in high diving and other aquatic sports. For the FINA World Masters Championships, 2,790 athletes from 74 countries will arrive in Kazan between August 5 and 16.