Swimmers from outside of Europe will be permitted to compete in the ‘European’ U23 Swimming Championships to be held in Dublin between the 11th and 13th of August.
This is the first time the competition is to be held and from now it will take place in alternate years.
The challenge is to establish it as a pathway for young swimmers emerging from the junior ranks and giving them extra development time before going straight into the senior ranks.
There will be no restriction on their taking part in major championships including the Olympic Games but this is a positive development to give that extra time.
Giving an opportunity to compete against swimmers from North and South America as well as other regions will liven up the competition though only two swimmers from outside of Europe will be allowed to compete in each of the Finals.
Those finals will take place across ten lanes, as opposed to the traditional eight and it promises to be a major event for Dublin as we heard from Adam Cox at the Sport for Business Sporting Year Ahead event in January.
Eligible Irish athletes include Ireland’s 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.
