Grand Opening in Ostende
307 athletes from nine member federations, representing seven countries, take part in the CSIT Single Championships Swimming in Belgium and compete for the coveted medals. The Belgian host federation FROS, as well as the Italian federation AICS sent a team of 77 athletes to Belgium. Therefore, they are both the biggest delegations. The fact that athletes between ten and 58 years of age are competing here shows how broadly the CSIT is positioned. A sign of great cohesion, tolerance, respect, fair play, friendship and intercultural dialogue through sport. The lived values of CSIT.
Opening ceremony
Before the morning session on Wednesday, CSIT Sports Director Harold van Hest and Ostend Mayor Bart Tommelein officially opened the Games. Harold van Hest thanked the organizers of FROS for the invitation and the volunteers, as well as referees for their great work. "You are here to swim, but also to enjoy the city. Enjoy the competition in the spirit of friendship," said Tommelein, who also emphasized that swimming is a great tradition in the city of Ostende. In fact, the “Brigitte Becue” swimming complex was named after the Belgian swimmer Brigitte Becue (*1972), who was born in Ostende. The 3-time European champion also took part in four editions of the Olympic Games, with the first one in Seoul 1988 at the age of just 15 years. Despite the big footsteps to fill, she definitely serves as an inspiration for the young swimmers present, aiming to improve and become world-class swimmers.
CSIT - Sports for All
At big amateur events like here in Ostende, there is a good mix of experienced athletes and ambitious young newcomers, starting in an international competition for the first time. Stefano Molfetta, a 20-year-old from Italy, is participating in the championships for the third time already. Despite that, he is still incredibly excited because this event offers a fantastic experience for athletes. It's not just about the competition; it is also an opportunity to meet people from different countries, make new friends and socialize. Austrian swimmer Julian, 12 years old, has already won two medals in the morning session, however, he is still not done with his medal hunt. Julian still wants to win a gold medal in the evening session. It is his first international competition and his first time in Belgium too. He is proud that he can experience these championships at such a young age. Apart from the nice accommodation and the modern facility, the best thing for him is the unwavering support of his Austrian teammates.
Pure excitement like in the pros
One month after the competitions of the swimming events at the Olympic Games in Paris (FRA), the CSIT Swimming Single Championships in Ostende (BEL) will be a real sportive event. As with the professionals in Paris, the performances in the individual disciplines of the amateurs in Ostende are also very respectable. The fight for Gold, Silver and Bronze differs in the amateurs by nothing from the professionals. The duels are spectacular and exciting, the atmosphere in the Ostende Swimming Hall is great and the decisions are sometimes extremely close. As at the World Championships, the European Championships or the Olympics, the loudest events are the final relays of the individual sections and the national team competitions.
The Games in Ostende will be concluded on Thursday with two more sessions. The day of departure is Friday.
28. August 2024 / CSIT News
