On the Scene - FINA World Champs Open; Catalan Independence Movement Makes Mark

(ATR) The Aquatics World Championships are underway in Barcelona, but not without a brief interruption from a Catalan independence movement group.

At the start of the opening ceremony on Friday, a group of protesters unfurled a banner with "Catalonia is NOT Spain" on it during the Spanish national anthem. Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia, and the region has had a tense relationship with Spanish authorities, including a recent surge in pro-Catalan independence sentiment.

The crowd at Palau Sant Jordi was by far at its loudest as the banner was hung, a seeming mix of cheers and boos.

Officials for the organizing committee declined to comment on the issue and, FINA officials were unavailable to comment. Around the Rings understands the situation is so delicate, officials in Spain are always loathe to ever comment on Catalan independence.

Following the flag incident, the ceremony went off largely without a hitch.

Designed as a parable, Barcelona 2013 Tweeted the message is: "Water is essential on our planet. If it doesn't flow, the planet is in danger. "This Ceremony pays homage to nature and water, and the athletes that are apart of these Worlds."

The story started when a child saw the earth had turned parched and received a medallion from an grandfather-like fortune, who instructed him the medallion was the only way to save the world’s waters. From then on, a parade of young swimmers splashed, dived and created a "human sculpture" inside the pool to show how the waters were saved.

Fernando Carpena Perez, president of the Royal Spanish Swimming Federation tooktime to highlight the Madrid 2020 Olympic bid.

"We hope that the Olympic Committee will give us what they want," he said. When he mentioned the Madrid 2020 bid, the crowd erupted with noise, again a seeming mix of emotions.

Julio Caesar Maglione, president of FINA said in a mixture of Spanish, English, French and Catalan, that he was "very happy" to be in Barcelona.

"I extend my gratitude to all athletes, coaches and officials participating in these games. Thank you to the thousands of volunteers and spectators fortheir enthusiasm and devotion to our sport."

Artur Mas president of the Generaltariat of Catalonia reminseced on the 1992 Olympics, also held in Barcelona during his speech. "It is a great pleasure to welcome you to our country. We are proud that the world will look at us through the values of sport, like it did 21 years ago."

Interestingly, when Mas took to the podium, he was greeted with the same mix of cheers and jeers from the audience.

Barcelona Mayor Xavier Trias said Barcelona is a cosmopolitan city "open to the world.

"We would like to welcome you all. We hope that you will have a nice stay among us. Barcelona will be with you."

Competition starts on Saturday with diving events. The women’s open water swimming event will have the first medals of the competition, followed shortly by the men’s event. Competition runs until Aug. 4.

Written by Ed Hula III.

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