2017 European Swimming Championships in Copenhagen: Dana the Mermaid Mascot | SWIM

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2017 European Swimming Championships in Copenhagen: Dana the Mermaid Mascot

The official mascot for the LEN European Short Course Swimming Championships 2017 and her name is Dana. She will represent all of Denmark, the Danish swimmers, Copenhagen, national history and swimming as a sport.

Dana the Mascot was created with input from swimmers coming from all of Denmark. In a drawing contest, two bids for a championship mascot stood out – they were both sporting the graceful and strong mermaid theme. Our own World Champion, Jeanette Ottesen, helped select the best bids, and from this, Dana was shaped.

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Photo: © Henning Bagger / Danish Swimming Federation

Besides the mermaid look, she also came to wield the true fighting spirits of the Danish ancestors, the Vikings. She therefore represents much of the Danish history – fiction and fact – with which we Danes identify ourselves and truly consider ours.

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Photo: © Danish Swimming Federation

The water is the element of a mermaid. And likewise, the water is our element too. Denmark is surrounded by sea and it is a great and important part of the Danish identity. It has always connected us with the rest of the world.

In 2017, Dana will be a front figure at the celebration of water, swimming and our joy and enthusiasm diving into our favorite element. Royal Arena in Copenhagen will be the center stage for a joined European celebration of swimming, the sport that defines us and our passion. Dana will be there to welcome all of you the 13-17 of December in the heart of Copenhagen in LEN European Short Course Swimming Championships 2017.

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