FINA Executive Director Mr Cornel Marculescu addresses the opening ceremony of the 5th FINA World Aquatics Convention 2018 in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, on Dec 8. [Photo/worldaquaticsconvention.com]

"I really believe the next three days will be very inspiring for the FINA delegates attending this Convention. The program is very attractive and many interesting topics are on the agenda," said FINA Executive Director Mr Cornel Marculescu.

Being optimistic about the Chinese market for aquatics, Marculescu hailed China's emphasis on swimming and hoped that the FINA could boost cooperation with the Chinese Swimming Association and other educational departments for swimming training courses so as to bring benefits to more Chinese children.

Other covered topics included the on and off-site fan experience at aquatics events, digital and social media, financing and anti-doping and development.

The convention also included a themed exhibition on aquatics and the FINA Swimming Coaches Golden Clinic, where some of the most respected coaches in the world shared their secrets about how to make swimming champions in the pool.