The clinic, held at the World Aquatics Championships Arena, is part of a broader initiative led by World Aquatics to bring elite athletes closer to host communities and promote aquatic sports across all disciplines. Campbell and Kitajima are among 11 World Aquatics Ambassadors participating in Singapore, alongside fellow legends such as Anthony Ervin (USA), Chad Le Clos (RSA), and Ranomi Kromowidjojo (NED).

Similar grassroots outreach efforts have also been carried out by ambassadors from other aquatic sports, including artistic swimming, diving, and water polo. Across all aquatic sports, athletes are engaging directly with young fans and aspiring athletes through clinics, school visits, and community activities—demonstrating the unifying power of aquatics.

More than 200 young swimmers applied for Campbell and Kitajima’s session, with only 40 selected. Participants received world-class coaching as Kitajima shared his signature breaststroke techniques, while Campbell focused on underwater drills and start-block mechanics.

“It’s so wonderful,” Campbell shared. “It’s lovely to see the enthusiasm of the next generation. It’s a great reminder that correcting small things can make a big difference. When I share my drills and tips and watch changes happen instantly in the water, it’s incredibly rewarding. Ultimately, it’s up to the kids to apply these lessons in training—and if they do, they’ll continue to improve.”

Inspiration in Action

The immediate impact of the clinic was clear. Eleven-year-old Darian Ler was thrilled by the opportunity to interact with his heroes. During a Q&A, he asked Campbell, “What do you think during a tough set?” She replied with a smile: “Just push, push… just keep on going.”

Zavier Tay, national age-group record holder in the 50m butterfly and 50m breaststroke, found the clinic both enjoyable and insightful.
“I compete mainly in sprint events, so learning start techniques and fine-tuning small details really helps improve my performance,” he said.

Keaven Mikael also shared his excitement: “It’s really inspiring. I can watch them swim and see how they execute their races. Watching my idols live is just amazing.”

And the momentum continues: Anthony Ervin and Chad Le Clos are scheduled to host a similar swim clinic in the competition pool tomorrow, providing even more young swimmers with a once-in-a-lifetime chance to learn from Olympic champions.

Beyond the Pool: Building a Legacy

According to Rachel Lim, Assistant Director of Non-Sport Events at the Singapore 2025 Local Organising Committee, the swim clinic is just one of 40 community-focused activities taking place during the Championships. These events are designed to connect elite sport with local culture through meaningful interactions—including water safety education, fun exhibitions, and inspirational talks.

In a groundbreaking move, World Aquatics also invited local and international journalists to participate in a simulated anti-doping process. This hands-on initiative aims to enhance transparency in sports and build public understanding of clean competition.

Kosuke Kitajima also visited the Championships’ official fan zone on Friday, where he met with local supporters and signed autographs. He emphasized the long-term value of initiatives like these.

“I believe that engaging with local children and communities plays a vital role in promoting the sport of swimming on a global scale,” Kitajima said. “As an Asian representative, it is a great honor to take part in this initiative as a World Aquatics Ambassador—especially here at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore, the first time the event is being held in Southeast Asia.

“This has been an incredibly rewarding and meaningful experience for me. Moving forward, I hope to continue supporting activities that inspire and positively impact the next generation.”

Cate Campbell echoed those sentiments and praised the strong local support.

“I love that World Aquatics is engaging with the local community and giving back to the host city,” she said. “The reception in Singapore has been so warm. I hope these programs continue—and that they’ll have me back again. I’ve really enjoyed my time here and hope the kids have too.”

A Dream Takes Root

Nine-year-old phenom swimmer Adelin Tan, described the clinic as a stepping-stone toward achieving her dream.

“It was very exciting. I’m glad to meet fast swimmers from other countries,” she said. “My dream is to represent Singapore at the Olympics—and to win like the champions, just like Joseph Schooling did against Michael Phelps.”

With initiatives like these, aquatic legends are doing far more than showcasing their past achievements—they're actively shaping the sport’s future, one young athlete at a time.