In sports, the world's biggest swimming competition is now underway... in Korea's southwestern city of Gwangju.<br />For a closer look,... our Kan Hyeong-woo files this report from Gwangju. <br />Swimmers and divers from across the world are making waves of peace in the city of Gwangju.<br />Under the slogan 'Dive into Peace',... the 18th FINA World Championships have officially kicked off... with the opening ceremony at Gwangju Women's University Universiade Gymnasium on Friday night. <br />"Residents of Gwangju, volunteers, thank you for your efforts. Athletes from all over the world, welcome. I hope this festival of freedom, challenge and friendship can shine brightly. I now announce the opening of the 18th FINA World Championships Gwangju 2019." <br />A variety of performances and music concerts lit up the site and put on a show for the spectators. <br />Embracing the theme 'Fountain of Light',... the opening ceremony first illustrated human greed polluting the ocean and then showed Gwangju's water bringing the sea back to life. <br />The 18th FINA World Championships Gwangju has set records for the most number of participating athletes and countries,... with some 26-hundred swimmers from over 190 countries coming to Korea. <br />Over the course of 17 days,... aquatic athletes will compete for a total of 76 gold medals in swimming, diving, high diving, artistic swimming, open water and water polo at five venues - four in Gwangju and one in Yeosu. <br />"With the 2019 FINA World Championships officially opened in Gwangju,... athletes from all over the world will keep their eyes on the prize... and hope to make a record-setting splash. Kan Hyeong-woo, Arirang News, Gwangju" <br />
