European Masters Swimming Championships: A Legacy of Aquatic Excellence
The European Masters Swimming Championships represent a premier gathering of veteran aquatic athletes, celebrating lifelong fitness and competitive spirit. These championships provide a platform for swimmers and aquatic athletes to compete across various disciplines, ensuring that the passion for the water continues long after professional careers have ended.
The event is comprehensive, covering all five disciplines recognized by FINA (the International Swimming Federation): swimming, diving, water polo, open water swimming, and synchronized swimming.
Key Facts
- Frequency: Held biennially (every two years).
- Scheduling: Occurred in odd years until 2013, shifting to even years from 2016 onwards.
- Integration: Since 2016, the event has generally been held jointly with the European Aquatics Championships, with the exceptions of 2018 and 2026.
- Disciplines: Includes swimming, diving, water polo, open water swimming, and synchronized swimming.
- Recent History: The 2020 edition in Budapest was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Long Course Championships
The Long Course editions are the primary focus of the European Masters circuit. Since the inaugural event in 1987, the championships have traveled across the continent, visiting iconic cities and world-class facilities.
From the early years in Blackpool and Turku to the modern era of joint championships in cities like Rome and Belgrade, the event has grown in scale and prestige. A notable exception in the scheduling occurred in 2013, where water polo competitions were hosted in Hungary.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Long Course Edition History
| Edition | Year | Location | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1987 | Blackpool, United Kingdom | September 16–20 |
| 2 | 1989 | Turku, Finland | August 30 – September 3 |
| 3 | 1991 | Coventry, United Kingdom | September 4–8 |
| 4 | 1993 | Sindelfingen, Germany | September 9–12 |
| 5 | 1995 | Riccione, Italy | September 6–10 |
| 6 | 1997 | Prague, Czech Republic | September 3–7 |
| 7 | 1999 | Innsbruck, Austria | August 25–29 |
| 8 | 2001 | Palma de Mallorca, Spain | July 3–7 |
| 9 | 2003 | Millau, France | August 26–31 |
| 10 | 2005 | Stockholm, Sweden | August 16–21 |
| 11 | 2007 | Kranj, Slovenia | August 28 – September 2 |
| 12 | 2009 | Cádiz, Spain | September 15–20 |
| 13 | 2011 | Yalta, Ukraine | September 5–10 |
| 14 | 2013 | Eindhoven, Netherlands | August 31 – September 7 |
| 15 | 2016 | London, United Kingdom | May 25–29 |
| 16 | 2018 | Kranj, Slovenia | August 26 – September 9 |
| 17 | 2020 | Budapest, Hungary | Cancelled |
| 18 | 2022 | Rome, Italy | August 29 – September 4 |
| 19 | 2024 | Belgrade, Serbia | June 26 – July 6 |
| 20 | 2026 | Slovakia and Austria | August 21–30 |
Short Course Championships
In addition to the long course events, the Short Course championships cater to athletes specializing in 25-meter pool racing. These events also integrate open water swimming distances, specifically the 1.5 km and 3 km races.
The inaugural Short Course event took place in Madeira, Portugal, in November 2023. The tradition continues with the second edition scheduled for Lublin, Poland, in December 2025.
Short Course Schedule
- 1st Edition (2023): Madeira, Portugal (November 19–25)
- 2nd Edition (2025): Lublin, Poland (December 10–16)
Frequently Asked Questions
Which aquatic disciplines are included in the championships?
The championships include five FINA disciplines: swimming, diving, water polo, open water swimming, and synchronized swimming.
How often are the championships held?
The events are held biennially. They took place in odd-numbered years until 2013 and have been held in even-numbered years since 2016.
Why was the 2020 championship not held?
The 2020 European Masters Championships, which were scheduled to take place in Budapest, Hungary, were cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Are the Masters championships held separately from the main European Aquatics Championships?
Since 2016, they have generally been held jointly with the European Aquatics Championships, although there were exceptions in 2018 and will be again in 2026.
What is included in the Short Course championships?
The Short Course championships feature pool swimming as well as 1.5 km and 3 km open water swimming events.