Kazan bids farewell to FINA world masters championships

The event kicked off at 19:00 with some warm-up routines. At 19:30 the fanfares marked the beginning of the Closing Ceremony. Just like at the Opening Ceremony, two popular Kazan TV presenters – Ksenia Sedunova and Timur Khanbikov – MC-ed the event. The show started with a sports and dance prologue featuring the Charm show theatre, as well as Kazan’s best gymnasts and acrobats. At the beginning of the ceremony, spectators saw a video clip, titled ‘Kaleidoscope of FINA Worlds events’, demonstrating the highlights of the World Aquatics Championships.

Spectators were treated to an explosion of cultural events including songs performed in the Russian and English languages, masterful dances and acrobatic routines, thematic video clips, pyrotechnic effects and performances by best music and dance ensembles of the city and the republic, etc.

The evening was headlined by the performance of the famous Russian pop band Ivanushki International. After some really foot tapping hit songs, two high officials – FINA Bureau Member Dr. Mohamed Diop and Prime Minister of the Republci of Tatarstan Ildar Khalikov – took the floor to say their words of welcome.

In his opening speech, Ildar Khalikov said: “We feel a little sad that the international aquatics festival has come to an end. Thank you, the FINA Family, for entrusting us with the staging of such a large-scale sporting event. Thank you, citizens of Kazan and the organisers, for a brilliant delivery of the World Championships. And we would like to especially thank the FINA Family for giving us a chance to host the Masters tournament that has ended today. Over 2,500 athletes representing 73 countries arrived here to prove that they are strong in their mind and their body and to inspire thousands of people just like them to do sports. On behalf of our Interim President of the Republic of Tatarstan, Rustam Minnikhanov, I would like to thank the guests of the Championships, the guests of Kazan. And welcome again to Kazan!”

“We’ve come to the end of the memorable FINA World Masters Championships in Kazan that have become one of the brightest pages in the FINA history. The entire world saw how beautiful and remarkable aquatic sports are. We would like to thank all athletes and technical officials that arrived in Kazan from all parts of the world and made everything possible to ensure that all competitions were held in compliance with the rules of the International Swimming Federation (FINA) and Fair Play. Here in Kazan, we all felt like we were at home due to a high quality of venues, extraordinary organisation and incredible hospitality. We will never forget these World Championships,” FINA Bureau Member Dr. Mohamed Diop said.

The ceremony wrapped up with a spectacular firework display. The festivities continued with an open air party featuring some popular DJ sets.