Under the bright early summer sunshine, more than 500 teenagers, students, coaches, and swimmers and divers of Thanh Hoa province gathered at the Provincial Sports Training and Competition Center to attend the Summer Opening Ceremony, Children's Olympic Day, and the launching ceremony for the whole population to practice swimming and prevent drowning in children in 2025.
Students attending the Opening Ceremony. Photo: Anh Tuan
The event was chaired by the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, in coordination with the Department of Health, the Department of Education and Training and the Thanh Hoa Provincial Youth Union, marking a practical start to the summer and the "Month of Action for Children" in the province.
At the ceremony, students not only immersed themselves in the vibrant, joyful atmosphere but also had the opportunity to directly observe professional athletes performing swimming events such as 50m freestyle, 50m breaststroke, 50m backstroke, and 50m butterfly.
In particular, the direct and indirect instructions on drowning rescue techniques and handling of dangerous situations underwater have provided the children with valuable survival knowledge, which can save themselves or their friends in dangerous situations.
According to the Organizing Committee, this year's program is not simply a sports activity but has profound social significance, aiming to improve the physical, mental and life skills of the young generation.
This is also a strong reminder of a painful reality: just entering the summer of 2025, Thanh Hoa province has recorded many tragic drowning incidents that have killed dozens of children.
Although authorities at all levels and mass organizations have made efforts to implement policies and laws on child protection and care, as well as promote injury prevention, the rate of children who know how to swim remains low and drowning prevention skills are limited.
Part of the reason is due to lack of facilities and teaching conditions, but the deeper cause comes from subjectivity and lack of supervision by adults.
Speaking at the ceremony, the representative of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism called on departments, branches and localities to launch a movement for the whole population to practice swimming, widely deploy the program "Safe swimming, Drowning prevention" at existing swimming pools, in schools and in high-risk areas.
Students practice indirect drowning rescue skills. Photo: Anh Tuan
At the same time, it is necessary to urgently review potential drowning risk areas, from ponds, lakes, rivers, streams to irrigation works, to have solutions to warn and ensure safety for children.
Communication and raising public awareness are also important links. Each family, each school and each organization must be equipped with enough knowledge to effectively guide and supervise children during the summer.
Notably, the representative of the cultural sector also emphasized the mobilization of social resources, calling on businesses and individuals to invest in building and installing more swimming pools in localities, especially in rural, remote and isolated areas where children have little access to swimming lessons.
At the same time, there should be support policies, tuition fee exemptions, and swimming pool rental fees so that all children have the opportunity to learn to swim properly.
From a summer kick-off activity, the launching ceremony in Thanh Hoa today has strongly spread a humane and responsible message: Drowning prevention cannot be just a temporary slogan, but needs to become a permanent awareness in every family, school and community.
Because behind the innocent laughter of children is the duty to protect their safety, something that cannot wait until tomorrow.
Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/the-thao/hang-tram-em-cung-lan-toa-thong-diep-hoc-boi-de-an-toan-144038.html
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