Wow... Flying dragon hanging over the Water Cube, hand-painting flower patterns decorating the athlete's entry video...The unique sports presentation drew special attention from the spectators and marked some Chinese cultural elements at the World Aquatics Artistic Swimming World Cup - Beijing 2024 from April 5-7.
With the colourful lights effect and traditional Chinese music, the inflatable dragon, controlled by a remote drone, brought the audience from Water Cube into a dramatic wonderland during the opening ceremony every day before the competition session.
According to the local organizers, it is a customary means for the host to add some cultural elements to the sports presentation and leave a sparkling memory for the athletes and audience.
"Like every other host city of the World Aquatic events. We put the flying dragon show as the key of our sports presentation for the Artistic Swimming World Cup. It is the year of the Dragon, according to Chinese Zodiac and the dragon is the symbol of harmony and power in Chinese culture. We wish all the athletes and audience enjoy a happy World Cup," according to the sports presentation suppliers for the Beijing organizers.
In the eyes of Lisa Schott, Chairperson of the World Aquatics Artistic Swimming Committee, the flying dragon show is spectacular.
"I've never seen that it gave me chills as I watched it float around. The athletes are the stars and I hope the dragon brings them power of the water. I thought it was very well done, very creative. As always, China is a great host to the world and artistic swimming," said Scott, who visited the Water Cube at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and the 2018, and 2019 World Cups in Beijing.
The 18-year-old Xu Huiyan, winner of Women's Solo Tech and Free and Team Tech, said she even forgot nerves when she saw the flying dragon the first day she saw the show just before her Solo competition.
"It was a dramatic feeling to see this giant dragon flying over the Water Cube It was so beautiful and pushed me to forget about nerves," Xu said.
Some kids on the grandstands noticed the blue hand painting as the background patterns on the athlete's entry videos, as if they were coming out of the growing flowers.
"We took two videos for every athlete and team, one in a normal jacket and one in a swimsuit. The unique point is the videos are all under the animation background with hand-painting peonies and roses. It is spring now and all the flowers are blooming now in Beijing. We choose the soft colour and flower patterns to match up the water and our sport. We hope the aquatic sports is blooming," local organizers explained.