DOHA, Feb. 4 (Xinhua) -- International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach praised World Aquatics' promotion of water sports in the midst of World Aquatics Championships here on Saturday.
Bach joined excited fans in watching the final of the mixed 10m synchronized diving at the Hamad Aquatic Center, which was won by the Chinese pair Huang Jianjie and Zhang Jiaqi.
The IOC chief expressed admiration for the record level of participation at the World Championships, emphasizing the global allure of swimming and the Olympic Games.
"They are all striving for qualification for Paris so I can only congratulate World Aquatics very much on this great result and this really global participation," said Bach.
He lauded Doha as the host of a major event, saying, "The facilities are really wonderful for all the divers and the swimmers and water polo players, and we have seen a great competition, and the Qatari hospitality is famous all over the world."
Bach also acknowledged the groundbreaking progress in artistic swimming, highlighted by the inclusion of men competing in an Olympic Games for the first time in Paris.
"These mixed events are very important, and we can see very good results of these initiatives," he affirmed. ■
