Ireland Announced as Host of Inaugural European U23 Swimming Championships

Ireland Announced as Host of Inaugural European U23 Swimming Championships

16 Dec 2022
Stephen Walsh
National

Ireland Announced as Host of Inaugural European U23 Swimming Championships

Swim Ireland and LEN (European Swimming Federation) are delighted to announce that the National Aquatic Centre at the Sport Ireland Campus will host the inaugural LEN European U23 Swimming Championships in 2023.

With the support of the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Sport Ireland and the Sport Ireland Campus, the NAC will play host to some of Europe and Ireland’s most talented swimmers from August 10th – 13th 2023.

Eligible Irish athletes include Ireland’s newly minted European Record holder Daniel Wiffen, as well as 2021 World Short Course silver medallist Ellen Walshe and Irish Record holders Victoria Catterson, Niamh Coyne and Uiseann Cooke.

Amongst the European stars potentially in attendance will be teen swimming sensation David Popovici; the Romanian is the current 100m Freestyle World Record holder. World Champions Benedetta Pilato (Italy) and Thomas Ceccon (Italy) are also eligible.

Ireland has previously hosted the European Short Course Swimming Championships in 2003 and the World Para Swimming European Championships in 2018.

Commenting on today’s announcement Minister of State for Sport and the Gaeltacht Jack Chambers said This is fantastic news for swimming and for sport in Ireland. We are developing the Sport Ireland Campus and Ireland generally as an attractive host for major European and international sports events which bring major boosts for our country in terms of drawing more visitors to Ireland, as well as driving increased participation in sport and in swimming. The inaugural U23 European Swimming Championships will be a wonderful occasion to see some of the best swimmers around, including many incredibly talented Irish swimming stars, compete for top honours in the National Aquatic Centre. As we continue our work on the development of a National Swimming Strategy, I am very proud my Department is supporting this event and I look forward to European swimming elite coming to Dublin next year.”

LEN President Antonio Silva commented “I am really happy that we will be visiting Dublin for the first time in 23 years, since Ireland has a proud history in the sport. Aquatics is imbedded in Irish sport culture and the current leadership at the federation are working hard to support the development of European aquatics. With the new U23 Championships aiming to bridge the gap between junior and senior competition, we are confident that Dublin will offer optimal conditions for our rising stars.”

 

Swim Ireland CEO Sarah Keane added “This is a fantastic win for Irish Swimming. For many years, we have been building towards hosting a major event at the NAC, and to be selected as the first country to host the U23 Championships is outstanding. We have a great competition and officials’ team who are relishing the opportunity to deliver this level of meet. Swimming fans will be treated to a brilliant spectacle as we welcome Europe’s elite to Dublin in August. Huge thanks must go to Minister Chambers and his Department and to Sport Ireland and Sport Ireland Campus who have supported Swim Ireland to make this a reality.”

Sport Ireland CEO Dr. Una May said “I am looking forward to welcoming the inaugural European U23 Swimming Championships to the National Aquatic Centre on the Sport Ireland Campus in 2023. We are proud to have athletes from all over Europe compete here, and to see the high standard of facilities that are available in Ireland. We look forward to working with Swim Ireland and LEN (European Swimming Federation) to make this event a success.”

Sport Ireland Campus, Chief Operations Officer Michael Murray stated “The team at Sport Ireland Campus are proud to host our third major swimming championship, having previously hosted the European Short Course Swimming Championships in 2003 and the World Para Swimming European Championships in 2018. A key objective for Sport Ireland Campus is to host major international events and since 2021 we have hosted major European Athletics, Cycling and Hockey events.’

ENDS

Accompanying images will follow from Inpho Sports Photography this evening.

For further information contact Trish Mayon in Swim Irela