Swimming in art and history

The International Swimming Federation's (FINA) 2009 World Championships now going on in Rome are a great opportunity to see world-class athletes. But, for us, it's about the venue.



















The main pool in the Foro Italico is graced with stunning 1930s mosaics by some of the Fascist era's best artists, including Angelo Canevari and Gino Severini.






















Our photos here were taken during a national water polo competition, where we witnessed the excitement of a player being ejected. For more photos, see the Mosaic Art Source website.

We also give Rome credit (they need it after all the scandals involved in the building of pools for the event) for their publicity. We love this billboard featuring the Foro Italico's Stadio dei Marmi (best translated as Stadium of the Marble Statues), with swimming goggles on the statue.

Dianne

(Rome the Second Time has some condensed information on the Foro at pp. 134-7.)