[2019 Gwangju World Aquatics Championships Review] Warm Image of Gwangju Imprinted Worldwide

On the last day of the 2019 Gwangju World Swimming Championships, a bubble performance took place on the lawn square of Nambu University.

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] With the hosting of the 2019 Gwangju World Swimming Championships, South Korea became the fourth country to have hosted all five major international events (Summer and Winter Olympics, FIFA World Cup, World Athletics Championships, and World Swimming Championships).

In particular, Gwangju Metropolitan City, the host city, successfully held the 2015 Summer Universiade and the 2019 World Swimming Championships consecutively, promoting the city and imprinting its image as an international sports city on the global audience.

According to the FINA report, the Gwangju Swimming Championships showed remarkable growth in social media data compared to the 2017 event.

Facebook exposure increased by 90%, video views by 546%, Instagram followers by 168%, and Twitter mentions by 52%.

Additionally, analysis of domestic and international media articles showed an 88% positive evaluation, and during the event, broadcasts from 211 channels in 145 countries recorded a cumulative viewership of 1,090,580,000 people.

The Gwangju Swimming Championships provided a festival atmosphere with various cultural events, programs, performances, and exhibitions that allowed people to experience the charm and excitement of Gwangju, and it was praised as an event that introduced the city of art and culture to the world. Overseas athletes and foreign tourists were deeply immersed in Gwangju’s scenery and cultural arts throughout the athletes’ village and other locations.

About 12,000 Gwangju citizens participated as supporters in cheering for countries and maintaining order at the venues, demonstrating the local community’s solidarity and volunteer spirit to the international community.

FINA also highlighted the activities of the citizen supporters who shared Gwangju’s warm hospitality with the athletes on its official website.

The activities and experiences of citizens from the 2015 Summer Universiade through the 2019 Gwangju Swimming Championships have become the city’s capability to host any future international event.

It is expected to have a positive long-term impact on the image of both South Korea and Gwangju on the international stage.