Four days of world class swimming. 41 participating nations. World, European and Championships records. Epic spectator involvement. World class TV coverage and a ticket sales record have made the LEN European Short Course Swimming Championships one of the best ever according to LEN president Paolo Barelli.
The LEN European Short Course Championships 2013 staged in Denmark have been a success at all levels.
-One of the best ever! LEN and The Danish organising committee have set new standards for the European short course championships. The amazing event set-up, the impressive spectator involvement and engaged and skilled volunteers made a home ground that has promoted swimming in Denmark and Denmark even more within the family of swimming, says Paolo Barelli, LEN president.
TV coverage was also of world class quality. Kieth Thomas, Production and broadcasting expert andprofessional advisor for TV says:
-I have been travelling around the world since 1996 for FINA, visiting World Championships and Olympic Games. The Production here in Herning has been better than in London 2012. There is a total difference in professionalism. Far beyond the qualities of London 2012 in every way. The smoothness of operation, camera angles, sound qualities. Everything in the production has been perfect, world class. I would recommend TV2 as the production team for broadcasting the World Champs.
The compliments are received by the Danish with much gratitude:
-I am so incredibly proud of our swimmers, volunteers, the Danish Swimming Federation, the audience and the support from all of Denmark. Sport Event Denmark and the City of Herning have been invaluable partners of collaboration. Together with the thousands of spectators and those watching from their homes here in Denmark and the rest of Europe we were able to share this amazing Championship that we have created. Right now everything is about maintaining the focus, that these Championships have given Danish Swimming. As we say in the Federation: “Everyone must learn to swim!” says Kjeld Egebo Larsen, president of the Danish Swimming Federation.
Also the partners behind the event are excited by the focus the event has had in Denmark and the content with the event set up:
-Only 15 months ago Denmark was elected as the host of The European Short Course Championships. 15 months is not a long time when you have to prepare a championship of this size. Not only has The Danish Swimming Federation in collaboration with the City of Herning and Sport Event Denmark created this international championship, they have also set new standards of how to do this. We take with us invaluable experiences for hosting other international sports events here in Denmark, says Lars Lundov, CEO, Sport Event Denmark.
-I noted that the European Swimming Federation, LEN, calls Herning the “European Capital of Sports” in one of its updates of this week. And it is a recommendation that this city proudly will keep in mind. It is our general aim to host an international sports event here in Herning each year. This is a part of our hope that the city of Herning is a great place to live. Because of the international sports events we create both employment and experiences, which gives pride to the people living here, and at the same time we will be known beyond our borders as a place where things happen. I am very satisfied with the way the Danish Swimming Federation and Sport Event Denmark have reached the goal of hosting the European Short Course Championships in Herning 2013, says the Mayor of Herning, Lars Krarup.
Editor’s Note
Tickets sold: 23.896
Participating swimmers: 559
Participating nations: 41
Accredited media: 21 accredited nations
Volunteers: 380
Participants on recreational swimming camp: 323
The championships are organized for LEN by The Danish Swimming Federation. Sport Event Denmark and The City of Herning partner the event.
For more on the event: www.herning2013.com and www.len.eu
Photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/svoemdk/