Sport reminds us we can unite: President Tharman

The Esplanade, with its distinctive durian-shaped dome and prominence in Singapore's city skyline, has long stood as a symbol of the nation's cultural ambition.

- Kimberly Kwek

On July 10, it set the stage for a different spectacle as the Singtel Waterfront Theatre hosted the opening ceremony of the World Aquatics Championships (WCH), officially ushering in about three weeks of elite competition.

Held from July 11 to Aug 3, it marks a historic milestone for Singapore, the first South-east Asian country to stage the championships.

More than 2,500 athletes from over 200 countries and territories will compete across a record 77 medal events in swimming, artistic swimming, diving, high diving, open water swimming and water polo.

President Tharman Shanmugaratnam presided over the ceremony, which was also attended by World Aquatics president Husain Al-Musallam, Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth David Neo and Singapore National Olympic Council president Grace Fu, who is also Minister for Sustainability and the Environment.

Minister for Law Edwin Tong, who was previously the Minister for Culture, Community and Youth, was also at the ceremony.

In a speech before he declared the WCH open, Mr Tharman noted that hosting the world championships was a special moment for Singapore, especially as it celebrates its 60th year of independence.