Shenzhen, China, November 13, 2025: World Aquatics President and Director General of the Olympic Council of Asia Husain Al Musallam attended the Opening Ceremony of the 15th National Games of China on Sunday, November 9, and also presented medals on the first day of the swimming competition.
Both Al Musallam and IOC President Kirsty Coventry were received by Chinese President Xi Jinping before the opening ceremony of the multi-sports games being held throughout Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau from November 9-21.
The swimming competition of the 15th National Games started on Monday, November 10 at the Shenzhen Longgang Universiade Centre Aquatics Stadium.
A total of 29 teams and 653 athletes from across China are competing in these high-level competitions.
It was the first time that World Aquatics President Al Musallam had visited the state-of-the-art swimming centre, as he witnessed events on the first day of the swim events, and was on hand to present the medals to the winners in the women’s 400m freestyle event.
“I am greatly impressed by the excellent facilities and the professional organisation of the event,” Al Musallam noted. “The atmosphere with the large crowds was very good and I’m quite sure that all Chinese swimmers from different parts of China will be encouraged by the passionate audiences and achieve their personal best results.”
The Aquatics Stadium at Longgang Universiade is a high-standard facility recognised by World Aquatics. It has successfully hosted a number of top-level swimming competitions, both domestic and international.
The visit by the President of World Aquatics further demonstrates the recognition given to Shenzhen’s capabilities to host world-standard events at its numerous venues.
