LEN President, FINA Vice-President
For more than one year we have been living extraordinary times. Still, we never stopped believing that our life could get back to normal and sport was one of the most important tools in keeping up hope.
LEN has also been committed to restart its 'on-field activities' as soon as possible – naturally, only with the utmost caution, without leaving the tiniest chance to harm the participants' health and well-being. We managed to stage several events and all were a little success – both for those competing and for the organisers who ensured a Covid-19 free environment.
Now we are on track to see our full competition calendar resume and among our events the European Short-Course Swimming Championships in Kazan is surely one of the absolute highlights.
The aquatic community treasures fond memories from the capital of Tatarstan, which has grown into a true capital of our sport. World-class facilities, professional organisers, athlete-friendly approach in all areas like accommodation, transport and meal-services, enhanced by the traditional Russian hospitality all make us eager to wait for our return to Kazan for another major swimming meet.
This November it comes again and we are absolutely sure that we shall witness another brilliant edition of our showcase short-course event and Kazan will also enjoy one more highly successful swimming rendezvous.
Let me thank for the Republic of Tatarstan, the Sport Ministry and The Directorate for Sports and Social Projects, as well as for the Russian Swimming Federation for their commitment and dedication to aquatics – I do believe that this championships will offer tremendous benefits for everyone taking part in it.