Construction of Nambu University Municipal Aquatics Center, the main facility for the 2019 World Aquatics Championships in Gwangju, on June 13 enters its final stage. (Yonhap News)

By Kim Eun-young and Kim Hwaya

With the opening of the FINA World Aquatics Championships less than a month away on July 12, the municipal government of the host city Gwangju and the event's organizing committee are in the final stage of preparation for the tournament.

Construction of facilities and event management are going smoothly, with the building of five swimming facilities to be completed before June 20. Construction work on the five, including the main facility Nambu University Municipal Aquatics Center, is 96.5% complete.

The number of seats at the Nambu center, where the swimming and diving competitions will be held, has been nearly quadrupled from 3,000 to 11,000.

Approximately 3,800 volunteers to offer aid in 31 sectors such as interpretation and translation, protocol and the running of award ceremonies have finished training.

Also completed are cooperative systems with related organizations to respond to terrorism, fire or other emergencies.

Additionally, municipal authorities have installed heat reduction facilities such as shades and sprinklers (cooling fog) throughout the city and stadiums to ward off heat. Cultural and arts programs will also be provided by the Asia Culture Center for visitors.

Under the theme "Dive into Peace," the championships will run from July 12-28 in Gwangju and Yeosu, attracting an estimated 15,000 athletes from about 200 countries. The event will be followed by the FINA World Masters Championships in Gwangju from Aug. 5-18.

Tickets are available via the website https://tickets.gwangju2019.com/en and at 20 major KTX (bullet-train) stations throughout Korea including Seoul, Yongsan and Gwangju-Songjeong stations.

eykim86@korea.kr