Waking up yesterday morning, I had a great deal of anticipation for the evening to come - the Opening Ceremony for the 2010 International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Swimming World Championships.

Beginning at 19:00, the delegations and public were inside the Pieter van den Hoogenband Stadium in Eindhoven, the Netherlands. The programme was an extensive one, with entertainers that range from singers like Nici Apfel, to performers in the water like the Synchronised Show from the Senior and Junior Duets.

I was giving a speech during the programme, as was the President of the Local Organizing Committee Henny Jacobse. Mr. Jacobse, together with his staff, has done an extraordinary job putting this massive event together. The public is certain to not only enjoy this Opening Ceremony, but the entire World Championships.

There are a total of 649 athletes from 53 different countries participating inside the Pieter van den Hoogenband Swimming Stadium over a seven-day period (August 15-21). And they are aiming for the gold, silver and bronze medal in their respective event. The number of participating athletes and countries in Eindhoven will be one of the largest of any previous Swimming World Championships.

Many of these athletes have in fact competed previously at the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games, 2009 IPC Swimming European Championships in Iceland, 2009 IPC Swimming World Championships Short Course in Brazil, and the 2010 BT Paralympic World Cup in Great Britain. For them, this is the biggest competition of the year.

What is really thrilling is that we will be seeing more coverage than any previous IPC Swimming World Championships, the IPC’s official internet channel www.ParalympicSport.TV will have a live stream of the competitions available everyday, giving Paralympic fans around the world a chance to watch the action as it happens! The daily live stream will include all heats from 9:00-12:00 CET and all finals from 17:00 – 21:00 CET. Highlights clips will also be made available on the IPC YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/ParalympicSportTV.

Rights holding broadcasters in Eindhoven include Great Britain’s Channel 4, the official broadcaster of the London 2012 Paralympic Games, Australia’s ABC, Good TV from the Netherlands, and broadcasters in Spain and Brazil, where there will even be a live broadcast.

As we begin the World Championships, I would like to thank the National Paralympic Committee (NPC) the Netherlands for their support of this event, as well as the Foundation WC Swimming 2010, Disabled Sports the Netherlands, the city of Eindhoven, and the Dutch Swimming Federation (KNZB).

Athletes take your marks, and let the Championships begin.

Sir Philip Craven is the President of the International Paralympic Committee. He represented Britain in five consecutive Paralympic Games between 1972 and 1988, competing in athletics, basketball and swimming