JOIN USSpanish mermaids are all set to enthrall the swimming fraternity here with their precise acrobatic routines.
Synchronized swimmers from Spain, who won the silver medal in duet and bronze medal in the team event at the London Olympics, will perform at the Global Swim Centre in Sadashivanagar on February 2 and 3.
Fourteen water ballet performers and three coaches are expected to be part of The Mermaids, a synchronized swimming show, organised by Elitzur Synchro Club, Mico Layout. “It’s an effort to develop synchronized swimming in the country and also in Karnataka,” said Sebastian Rills, chief organiser of the event.
Steps were being taken to ensure the smooth conduct of the event with the venue getting spruced up. “At the venue, we will put up temporary toilets and dressing room on par with world standard. We have also arranged a private security firm,” Sebastian said.
“We have the full support of Karnataka Swimming Association and Swimming Federation of India, so we are hoping to make it successful,” he added.
KSA secretary and SFI vice-president T D Vijayraghavan later confirmed that swimming bodies have given the no objection certificate for the show. “We gave the nod on the assurance from the organisers that they will make necessary arrangements for the smooth conduct of the event,” said Vijayraghavan.
Sebastian said the total expense of the event will be more than Rs 20 lakh with the performance fee of eight lakh to the Spanish team. However, they have decided to donate the amount to an orphanage in Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh.
More than 1000 tickets will be up for sale at various swimming centres in Bangalore with prices ranging from Rs 500, Rs 1000 and Rs 5000.
The synchronised swimmers will land here on February 1 before their two-day performance at the GSC. The team will then travel to Anantapur on February 4 before returning home via Bangalore on February 7.
The Spanish squad: Ona Carbonell Ballestero, Andrea Fuentes Fache (duet silver medallists); Clara Basiana Canellas, Alba Maria Cabello Rodilla, Margalida Crespi Jaume, Thais Henriquez Torres, Paula Klamburg Roque, Irene Montrucchio Baeus, Laia Pons Arenas (all team bronze medallists); Cristina Salvador Gonzalez, Clara Camacho del Hoyo, Sara Levy Sellares, Meritzell Mas Pujadas, Sara Gijon Cabrera.
Officials: Anna Vives Ballesta, Esther Jauma Cayuela, Mayuko Fujiki.