[2019 Gwangju World Aquatics Championships Review] Expectations for Korea as a Swimming Mecca

In the men's water polo match between Korea and Greece at the 2019 Gwangju World Aquatics Championships, player Kim Dong-hyeok cheers after scoring the team's second goal.

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] Recently, in the international sports world, the criterion for judging the success of international competitions is the legacy of the event. Developing good items that commemorate and utilize the competition and providing them to citizens is more important than anything else.

The Gwangju Swimming Competition needed a new approach to preparing the event and creating a legacy by not constructing unnecessary stadiums to save costs, but by renovating existing facilities or installing temporary facilities.

Apartments over 30 years old were reconstructed by private capital, used as the athletes' village during the competition period, and supplied to the public after the event ended.

As a result, it contributed to urban regeneration by improving residents' living environments and preventing the slumification of old downtown areas through the utilization of the international competition.

The 2019 Gwangju Masters Championships became an opportunity to activate swimming clubs, with 1,034 athletes participating from 110 clubs nationwide in Korea.

This year in the second half, Gwangju City is preparing for the 1st Gwangju Swimming Competition and the Gwangju Masters Swimming Competition.

Through the establishment of a nationwide swimming competition, they plan to expand the base of swimming participants and continue the swimming boom as a lifestyle sport.

Also, Gwangju Metropolitan City is promoting the construction of the Korea Swimming Promotion Center. The center will be available to both general citizens and professional athletes, providing comprehensive support for swimming including education, research, and training.

Souvenirs, pamphlets, photos, and videos used during the Gwangju Swimming Competition will be exhibited so visitors can also view the legacy of the event.

Lee Yong-seop, the organizing committee chairman, said, “With the establishment of a nationwide swimming competition and the Korea Swimming Promotion Center, Gwangju is expected to establish itself as a swimming city and play a role as the mecca of Korean swimming through tangible and intangible legacy effects.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.