Pool brimming over

President Saakashvili has a new obsession, meaning new priorities for the state's development in sports - he wants to turn Georgia into a great water-sports power. Moreover, Georgian athletes have achieved successes, particularly in water polo. Among other things, the president is enthusiastic about Georgians living a healthy lifestyle.

The Georgian president visited the new "Olympic" swimming pool in the suburbs of Tbilisi and emphasized that "the authorities are building swimming pools not only for elite, but for ordinary people on the edge of town as well." This was clearly a swipe at the ex-minister for state and structural reforms, Kahi Benduzkidze, who several years ago purchased and reconstructed a sport complex in the center of Tbilisi, and which is known now as the most prestigious swimming pool in the country. Meanwhile, a monthly subscription to the pool costs about $170, in other words only wealthy people can afford this healthy leisure activity. The "Olympic" center was built for the middle classes, so Saakashvili, who cultivates the image of a people's president, headed there. "My dream is to open swimming pools in every residential area," the president said, and citing an old joke noted: "Here's a fool swimming pool!" Meanwhile he recalled that when Shevarnadze was president he only made promises, but never built a pool..

The "Olympic" complex, which cost an estimated $2 million, is equipped to meet all European standards. The center consists of 3 swimming pools, one for children, an arena for 500 people, cafeterias and a terrace for sun bathing. The "Olympic" will become a training base for Georgia's water polo team.

Georgii Kalatozishvili, Tbilisi. Exclusively for VK.