Prime Minister Paavo Lipponen: Welcoming address at the opening of the European Swimming Championships June 30, 2000
It is the second time that Finland will host, as an organiser of the European Swimming Championships 2000, a major swimming competition after the war. I had the opportunity to follow the swimming events during the Helsinki Olympic Games in 1952. In the 200m breaststroke competition some competitors used the butterfly stroke leaving those swimming with the traditional technique without a chance. Fortunately the rules were changed so that this could not happen in the Olympic Games to follow.
The European Swimming Championships 2000 are an important international sporting competition. As the number of competitors exceeds a thousand, it can justifiably be said that these championships have posed a major challenge to the organisers. But Finnish organising skill and experience, combined with the efforts of some 500 volunteers, are a pretty sure guarantee of a successful outcome.
The significance of these European Swimming Championships can also be measured in terms of media interest. Approximately 500 media representatives will be reporting on them. They will be televised in 40 countries and will reach an estimated 150 million viewers.
The European Swimming Championships here in Helsinki also serve for many countries as the final trials before the Sydney Olympics. So we can probably look forward to a good crop of personal bests. The inclusion of diving and synchronised swimming gives added substance and interest to the event.
Dear competitors, international guests and organisers.
It is a great honour for Finland and Helsinki to be entrusted with the organisation of the European Swimming Championships in the year 2000, as our capital celebrates its 450th anniversary. The City of Helsinki, the State of Finland and all the parties involved in the organisation have, by working together, created the framework for these championships. And for the Mäkelänrinne Swimming Centre, this is its first opportunity to make its mark as a worthy venue for international swimming at the highest level.
On behalf of the Finnish government, I am delighted to welcome the visiting teams and the Finnish competitors as well as all coaches and officials to these European Swimming Championships. At the same time I would like to present my compliments to the Finnish Swimming Association and all the local organisers for their valuable contribution.
Finally, I wish this whole gathering, but particularly the athletes, who will hold centre stage, every success as we all keenly await the opening of the European Swimming Championships 2000.