Windsor is getting high approval for its hosting of this week's FINA World Swimming Championships.
The week-long international swimming event, held every two years, attracted swimmers from over 175 countries to the WFCU Centre and the city of Windsor. Pam Mady, director of protocol and communications for the championships, said the response from those attending has been overwhelming.
"We've had so many people come out and watch the support the event. We've had 4,000 students come during the daytime, and we've had a pretty near packed house just about every session," said Mady.
Mady said that swimmers, coaches and spectators have provided plenty of positive feedback over the course of the championships, particularly with the presentation of each swimming event. One swimmer, South African Chad Le Clos, had mentioned to Mady that he enjoyed being able to walk out "like a rock star", a sentiment that seems to be the consensus of the swimmers attending.
The athletes also appeared to be happy with the number of young people attending each day's competition. Mady said they wanted to make sure area youth were involved with an event of such caliber.
"Part of our goal was trying to engage and involve as much youth as possible. Bringing the event here is one thing, but being able to have that trickle-down legacy of the event is another," said Mady, adding that some schools had programs going on that discussed the visiting countries, individual events, and other aspects of the championships.
The economic impact of the FINA championships is not immediately known but organizers appear to be pleased with the response shown by the community.
Medals were presented in 46 events over the course of the week.