The greatest show on earth…. has come to the tiny village of Roberval, Quebec, Canada; the host for the 6th FINA World Open Water Swimming Championships, 15-23 July 2010.

Roberval, a town of 11,000 residents has welcomed in open arms, the 124 elite open water swimming competitors from 30 countries.

I will be writing daily blogs and sharing interviews with Champions - athletes, coaches, organisers, referees, officials and volunteers.

The following was reported by Steven Munatones, Chief Editor of Daily News of Open Water Swimming

Dr. Julio Maglione, the FINA President, opened the festivities with a bilingual address to the gathered media at today’s press conference. “I want to express my sincere gratitude to Swimming Canada, the city of Roberval and the local organising committee.”

Swimming Canada CEO Pierre Lafontaine echoed the gratitude of Dr. Maglione at today’s press conference. In his usual enthusiastic manner, Pierre said, “The local organizing committee even went so far in changing the water temperature of lac St-Jean.”

Pierre was referring to the notoriously historical cold water of lac St-Jean has increased in temperature to an unseasonably and unprecedented 24°C (75°C) that have greeted the swimmers at the championships. Most of the swimmers were quite happy and surprised to learn of the warm-water conditions.

“Swimming Canada is excited to host the world championships and we are thankful to Dr. Maglione for having confidence in us. Sport is a place where people can dream. That is the power of sport.”

Canadian National Team coach Ron Jacks repeated the excitement of Dr. Maglione and Pierre. “The 7-member Canadian team is in good spirits after a 5-day training camp in Montreal. The swimmers have had a great week of preparation in Montreal. The 10K will be our great event. With the event now being in the Olympics, we are seeing a surge of swimmers trying to grain that experience for the 2012 Olympic Games qualifier next year in Shanghai.”

“The Canadian team is comprised with some solid veterans such as Simon Tobin of Quebec, Zsofie Balaz of Toronto and Nadine Williams of Sherwood Park who all competed at the 2009 World Swimming Championships. I’m optimistic that we will get a few surprise performances from our veterans and rookies.”

The Canadian team includes Xavier Desharnais, Simon Tobin, Richard Weinberger, Zsofia Balazs, Karyn Jewell, Joanie Guillemetee-Simard and Nadine Williams.

Thanks Steven Munatones and Daily News of Open Water Swimming for that back end story on the Canadian Open Water Swim Team.

Enjoy my interview below with Pierre Lafonteine, Swimming Canada CEO.

Let me know how you are enjoy the videos and blog posts and what skill helps you have a more enjoyable open water swimming experience. I look forward to sharing the amazing experience of the FINA World Championships and the passionate hospitality of the host city of Roberval.

Cheers Shelley Taylor-Smith
FINA TOWSC member 2000-present
FINA Athletes Commission Chairman 1999-2000
7-time Womens World No.1 Marathon Swimming Champion 1988-1995
5-time Overall Winner & Fastest Time Overall Manhattan Island 48km Marathon Swim
Director & Founder Champion Mindset Consulting