1st Mediterranean Lifesaving
Championships 2024
Rome 25-27/07/2024. The Eternal City of
Rome, known for taking lives in antiquity at the Coliseum, today made history
by hosting the sport that save lives in the Stadio del Nuoto. The 1st
Mediterranean Lifesaving Championships was a long dream that came true. History
has begun!
Introduction
Drowning is a serious public health problem within the
Mediterranean basin, taking the lives of thousands of citizens, tourists,
immigrants and refugees. The need to establish lifesaving sport was a long
dream that came true. The Mediterranean Lifesaving Confederation (MLC)
was founded in 2022 to expand, promote and include lifesaving sport in the Mediterranean
Games and the Mediterranean Beach Games and act as a stepping stone
for the eventual inclusion of the sport in the Olympic Games.
The championships in numbers
In summary, the championships can be summarized to the
below:
· It took 3 years for the MLC to organize
Championships.
· This event represents 500 million of people
of 3 continents (Europe, Asia, Africa).
· About 1,000 athletes competed.
· Totally 8 nations participated (Greece,
Italy, Cyprus, France, Albania, San Marino, Serbia, Spain, Slovenia).
· Italy dominated the Interclub Championships
(over 50 clubs).
· Greece contributed the most athletes at the National Team Championships (15 athletes).
Opening ceremony
The opening ceremony was a memorable moment, that
generated emotions, fulfilled dreams and raised desires for higher sporting
achievements at Mediterranean and Olympic level. The National Team of Greece
entered the stadium first as in the Olympic Games.
The athlete’s oath was announced by Efraim Chalkias (Greece) with the athletes being placed around the pool.
The Championships were dedicated to the loving memory of John Martin, the ILS Events Manager, who passed away recently. His voice was heard in the stadium generating tears to those who were blessed to having known him. Heaven needed our hero! ?
The “father” of the MLC and ILS Secretary General, Dr Harald Vervaecke, made the opening speech welcoming everyone in this historic gathering (more).
The MLC leaders, Dott Giorgio Quintavalle
(President) and Dr Stathis Avramidis (Secretary General), presented
Honorary Life Memberships to Dr. Vervaecke, Dr. Bill Kent (Chairman of
the Board, International Swimming Hall of Fame), Wim Nuyens (ILSE Sport
Commission Chair), Polis Pallikaros (ILSE Board Director).
Quintavalle, declared open the championships signifying the
importance of the event for drowning prevention and the advancement of the
sport within the Mediterranean basin.
The championships was a wonderful opportunity to
celebrate the World Drowning Prevention Day.
Results
The top countries in the National Teams Championships were:
Italy (1st), Greece (2nd), Cyprus (3rd). The top 3 teams in the Interclub
Championships were Italian. The results will be posted soon on the webpage.
Summary
In life, it is rare to witness and even rarer to be a protagonist of a landmark event. Lifesaving sport is older than 100 years old. During its long timeframe, countless championships at many levels across the globe have taken place (National, Regional, World, National and World Military, World Games, World Masters Games). One would assume that there is nothing left to be done, because whatever should be established it has already happened long ago. Wrong. Thanks to the vision and persistence of our founding “father”, Dr Vervaecke, along with the work and organizational skills of his “lifesaving children”, the MLC leadership duo, Dott Quintavalle and Dr Avramidis, the dream came true. Little seeds turn into big trees. Decades later, when this historic MLC Championships will be a fond memory, the competitors, contributors and organizers may proudly say: “We were there!”
