ILS is glad to inform the ILS membership that the the Board of Directors has determined that Alexandria, Egypt will be the location of the 2010 Lifesaving World Championship – Rescue 2010.

The website of Rescue 2010 will be launched soon but hereunder we provide you with some preliminary information.

Egypt

Egypt is a country located in the North of the African Continent, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Western Asia. Egypt covers an area of about 1 million square kilometers (390,000 sqare miles).

Egypt is one of the most populous countries in Africa and the Middle East. The great majority of its estimated 82 million live near the banks of the Nile River where the only agricultural land is found. About half of Egypt’s residents live in urban areas, with the majority spread across the densely-populated centres of greater Cairo, Alexandria and other major cities in the Nile Delta.

Egypt is famous for its ancient civilization and some of the world’s most famous monuments, including the Giza pyramid complex and its Great Sphinx. The southern city of Luxor contains numerous ancient artifacts, such as the Karnak Temple and the Valley of the Kings.

Egypt is certainly a prime location to see the great heritage from the ancient world, including Pyramids and wonderful temples, but Egypt also offers nature and desert treks, great scuba diving and even golf, fishing and birding expeditions.

One may choose to relax on the wondrous Egypt Red Sea or Sinai coasts, take in the high culture of Cairo, or even leisurely float down the Egyptian Nile on a luxurious river boat.

Alexandria

Alexandria, with a population of 5 million, is the second-largest city in Egypt and is known as “The Pearl of the Mediterranean”. It has the country’s largest seaport, serving about 80% of Egypt’s imports and exports. Alexandria is also an important tourist resort. Alexandria has an atmosphere that is more Mediterranean than Middle Eastern; its ambience and cultural heritage distance it from the rest of the country although it is actually only 225 km from Cairo.

Founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BC, Alexandria became the capital of Greco-Roman Egypt, its status as a beacon of culture symbolised by the “Pharos”, the legendary lighthouse that was one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The setting for the stormy relationship between Cleopatra and Mark Antony, Alexandria was also the centre of learning in the ancient world. Alexandria was Egypt’s capital for nearly a thousand years before Cairo took over.

Distances

The distance between the accommodation and the beach is between 50 m and 1 km and from the accommodation to the Olympic Swimming Pool is less than 15 km.

Pool Competition Venue

The championship pool is the Moubarak Military Pool. This pool is a full size Olympic pool with 10 lanes and a depth of 2 m all over, it has electronic timing (Omega) on both sides and adequate spectator seating (over 4,000). It has no separate warm-up pool; however there is a diving pool (25 x 20 m) adjacent to the pool. Dressing rooms and administration rooms are available and catering will be provided. There is ample parking space and a hotel adjacent to the complex. The venue is a protected area with access control by security and military.

Beach/Ocean Competition and Training Venues

The Mamoura Beach is wide and large enough with a wide pedestrian promenade along the beach giving adequate back of beach areas. There is adequate space for three water arenas and the usual beach sprint track and beach flags areas. Briefings can take place in the adjacent hotel. The Mamoura Beach Area is a protected area with access controlled by security and tourist police. The beach is immediately backed by residences, mainly holiday apartments where all officials, judges, team management, competitors and spectators can be accommodated at very reasonable rates. The Mamoura Beach Area also has the necessary coffee shops, entertainment and supermarkets.

Pool Training Venues

The Alexandria Sport Club has two 50 m pools, one 50×25 m and one 50x20m. The pools are set in an environment with the usual club facilities such as restaurants, shopping street, parking and adequate space around the pools.

These pools have a depth that is not fully in accordance with ILS rules, therefore the complex is chosen as the training venue.

Accommodation

Teams, officials and spectators can be accommodated at the holiday residences in the Mamoura Beach Area. At the Beach there are a couple of hotels and a great number of apartments available at very reasonable prices. There is accommodation available near the pool and numerous hotels between the pool and beach along the beachfront.

Security

ILS understood the concern of security the first day of the bid. ILS therefore focussed its attention on that aspect from the beginning. The bid evaluators witnessed both in Cairo as in Alexandria that they could walk freely in all areas of the city. In Alexandria, they felt personally very safe. The competitions will take place in secured precincts. The accommodation of competitors will be in the same secluded precinct. The swimming pool is in a military precinct and only those with accreditations will be able to enter. People (spectators) buying a ticket will also be allowed but will have to pass through an electronic control gate. ILS was informed by the Governor of Alexandria that Alexandria is very safe and that he will do all that is possible to guarantee an enjoyable stay for all the participating people.