The turtle "Dana" is the official mascot of the World Championships hosted by Abu Dhabi
Al Matrooshi and Laila Al Khatib represent the UAE in the World Swimming Championships
Hussein Al-Muslim, Aref Al-Awani, Brent Nowicki, and national swimming stars Yousef Al-Matrooshi and Laila Al-Khatib during the press conference yesterday.
From the source
Part of the disclosure of the mascot of the world championship yesterday.
From the source
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The Abu Dhabi Sports Council revealed the official mascot of the World Championships for short distances swimming (25 meters), which will be held on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi next December, between 16 and 21 of it, and it is related to the turtle "Dana", and the two swimmers who will represent the team in the world championship, namely Yousef Al Matroushi (18 years old) and Laila Al Khatib (14 years old).
This came during the press conference of the World Championships, which was held yesterday at the Emirates Palace Hotel, in the presence of Dr. Hussein Al Musallam, President of the International Swimming Federation (FINA), Aref Hamad Al Awani, Secretary General of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, Sultan Al Samahi, President of the Emirates Swimming Federation, along with Brent Nowicki, Executive Director International Swimming Federation, and Abdullah Al-Wahaibi, tournament director.
The conference was also attended by a large number of officials and personalities.
Al-Matrooshi and Laila Al-Khatib are promising talents. Despite their relative young age, both of them have won many awards and medals. Yousef Al-Matrooshi will represent the UAE during the Olympic Games in Tokyo, which begins in July in the 100-meter freestyle races.
With regard to the mascot of the championship, the turtle Dana, it belongs to the hawksbill sea turtle family. These turtles, which are facing the threat of extinction, are distinguished by their skill in swimming and their agility under the surface of the water. Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi is a natural habitat for the hawksbill turtle.
The community programs planned to be implemented in preparation for the event were also announced, which include the Safety Ambassador Program for Swimming, which allows its graduates to become certified safety ambassadors, as well as educational programs for schools and swimming clubs in the presence of the turtle mascot Dana, in addition to a virtual swimming event, during which it provides an in-depth look. For the challenges faced by elite swimmers during championship races.
The Yas Mall on Yas Island will also witness the establishment of many events, and the coming period will witness the opening of volunteering for those wishing to participate and contribute to the organization of the event.
The world championship competitions consist of: freestyle, breaststroke, backstroke and butterfly, with individual, medley and relay competitions.
In conjunction with the event, the International Aquatics Conference will be held in December, and will be held on Yas Island.
Hussein Al-Musallam stressed that Abu Dhabi's hosting of the World Championship after the Corona crisis is a new challenge added to the UAE's record of achievements in organizing world championships, indicating his confidence in the UAE's ability to achieve the expected success in organizing the event.
He told "Emirates Today": "Certainly there are restrictions on participating in the tournament, but the good thing is that the world championship comes after the Tokyo Olympics, and therefore almost all swimmers will have received the vaccine, which increases the percentage of reassurance with the International Swimming Federation, the Abu Dhabi Championship will not be The first in the Gulf region, and the coming period will witness a boom in Gulf water sports.”
On the other hand, Aref Al-Awani indicated that 12,000 hotel nights will be witnessed in Abu Dhabi during the period of the presence of the world's stars of swimming in the tournament.
He added in a press statement: "Abu Dhabi is on a date to organize an exceptional championship next December, with the presence of 1,000 swimmers from 180 countries, in addition to the technical, administrative and medical staff."
• The highly anticipated global event will be held on Yas Island from December 16 to 21.
• 1000 male and female swimmers from 180 countries, who will represent different countries of the world in the World Cup.
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