Countdown to Gwangju FINA Championships

More than 15,000 athletes from more than 200 countries will travel to Gwangju for the 18th FINA World Championships.

The countdown to the opening ceremony in South Korea marks the third time Asia is hosting the FINA championships. Japan and China were the first two.

Organizers say the motto of the event "Fountain of Light" is rooted in the role of Gwangju in 1980 as a democratization movement swept the country.

They say that like the PyeongChang Winter Olympics in 2018, the FINA champs represent "a strong symbol and a great opportunity for the nation to show it’s strong commitment to peace, democracy and human rights."

Gwangju Mayor Yong Seop Lee along with Gwangju athlete ambassador Tae Hwan Park, a winner of four Olympic gold medals spoke at an event marking 100 days to go.

"To have the FINA World Championships coming to my home country is a dream becoming true. I have been closely involved in the preparations and the promotion of the Championships at home and across the globe – to all the fans and visitors, I can assure you that this event will be truly spectacular, and I hope to see many of you contributing to its success."

Compiled by Greer Wilson.