It was because a certain country launched itself at another that the World Aquatics Championships came our way.
It was because it was held here that I got to see today’s superstars.
It was because I was reading about our temporary pool that I realised I that I had been in the inceptive temporary pool at the Fukuoka World Swimming Championships 2001.
It was because I was thinking about Ian Thrope as the Big Story of Fukuoka (and a “rising star” then was none other than Michael Phelps!) that I thought of the Perth World Swimming Championships 1998, where he made a mark at just 15 years old (and I saw him swim!).
A (The?) huge story at Perth was a certain other country’s swimmers being caught, and not caught (syringes found in hotel room bins and so on), for consuming banned substances. All quite exciting being near the thick of things but that was my first ever world event so in itself, the event was very enjoyable. I felt what it’s like to be in a sports crazy country. I felt what it means to have “nationalist fervour”. I had never before experienced this kind of goose-bumpsy cheering for one’s country. In particular, there was the water polo match between Yugoslavia and Croatia, full house in the stands, people cheering their lungs out for their country/former country. The sprightly elderly lady beside me recruited me to cheer for hers! I could never outdo her in cheering.
I was with child in Perth, and with a child in Fukuoka, and my big story there was exploring some of the lovely city.
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| Fukuoka 2001 -- boy meets mascot and girl |
A couple of decades later, here I was climbing the stands of a temporary pool once again. Now that I’m the age that I am, no way was I going to squeeze with crowds on the train there and back, getting into, being in and getting out of the arena, on multiple days.
Aunty’s method to watch world beaters in the pool in a comfortable manner:
1. Avoid watching some finals.
2. For swimming, watch the heats because you’ll get to see a big number of stars in one sitting.
3. Arrive a little after the start time (or watch the first race/s on the outdoor screen) so you don’t get stuck in a long queue at the bag check. Hey, what was with using that stick to prod the contents of our bags?! Thought it was highly unhygienic.
4. Leave a little before the end. Watch the last race on the outdoor screen, then race to the train station and leave before the crowd gets out.
5. Toilet back-up plan: use the ones in the mall since they’re within walking distance.
Aunty’s programme to maximise opportunities to watch many/strong performers within a limited number of days and without spending a fortune:
Water polo
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| Italy vs USA 7th/8th placing (Italy 9-8) |
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| Greece vs Serbia 3rd/4th placing (Greece 16-7) (eventual winner: Spain) |
Diving
My favourite of the disciplines and very excitingly, I finally get to see it 'live'!!
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| women's 10m platform semi -- our 14-year-old Ainslee Kwang! (eventual winner: Chen Yuxi) |
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| Chen Jia -- women's 3m springboard (I thought she was going to win) |
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| women's 3m springboard winner, Chen Yiwen |
Diving Highlight: Spotting Guo Jingjing 😍
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| asked fellow spectators: is that Guo Jingjing?? |
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| her in the corridor |
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| judging duty for the women's 3m -- why is she the least clear official in my photo?? 😞 |
Swimming
Summer McIntosh, Leon Marchand, David Popovici, Duncan Scott, many others, all in one morning!
The cheering was wild but not as exciting as at the other two Worlds... because it was overwhelmingly for a certain country. Boy, were they proud of their golden boys and girls!
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| loved it when the guys behind me rode on the roars and yelled for our swimmers to 加油; and those two French girls certainly did a good job with their loud cheers as well! |
Very proud our country pulled it off and enjoyed watching what I did!
[Aunty methods would not work if you're a star chaser.]
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