OPEN WATER

The open-water competition, a significant highlight of the European Aquatics Championships in Belgrade 2024, took place at Ada Ciganlija Lake. The competition, featuring 5 km, 10 km, and 25 km races, also introduced a groundbreaking new mixed relay of 6 km. This unprecedented event, a thrilling new chapter in the history of aquatic sports, was held for the first time, adding a unique and exciting element to the championships. As the host, Belgrade proudly served as the focal point of this historic moment.

The vibrant atmosphere on Belgrade Lake during the two days of the competition, the resounding support from the coast, the picturesque natural landscape, and the serene water all served as powerful motivators for the swimmers. The enthusiastic cheers and applause from the audience, who were not just spectators but active participants in this sporting event, created an atmosphere that inspired the swimmers to set new records, achieve their goals, push the limits of their abilities, and write historical numbers in this sport.

The best European swimmers demonstrated their strength, skill, and physical and mental readiness as they competed. The Italian team, emerging as the most successful national team in the open water discipline, brought home the cup filled with pride and achievement from Belgrade, inspiring all with their remarkable performance.

Belgrade once again showed its love for sports and athletes. When it comes to sports events, there is no lack of time, energy, or expertise to ensure that every athlete receives the best conditions for competition, feels supported and satisfied, and is eager to return to the same place for future sports events.

Open Water represents the ultimate challenge for swimmers competing in a discipline that requires strength, stamina, and mental force. They face waves, water currents, natural phenomena, and obstacles in the battle for victory.

Since ancient Greek times, swimming in open waters has been an Olympic discipline. Today, more and more people swim recreationally, replacing indoor pools with open spaces, aquatic environments, and natural surroundings.

Open Water swimming and competing require physical fitness, tactics, strategy, and courage. Swimmers traverse long distances through rivers, lakes, or oceans, facing changing water and weather conditions while pushing the boundaries of their endurance and will.

Unlike pool swimming, swimmers in open waters must face natural elements such as waves, water currents, wind, and cold, adding complexity and challenge to their performances. Each body swing is a battle with the water, each breath a struggle with nature, a fight against the unexpected, where perseverance and determination are the only paths to success.

The audience follows the races with excitement and admiration as competitors fight for every inch of space in the water, attempting to surpass their physical and mental limits to be faster and stronger than the competition. The atmosphere is charged with excitement, emotions, and loud support.

Competition in Open Water is not just a fight for a medal and a result but an expression of courage, strength, and great respect for nature. Each race is a story of human perseverance, an eternal and toughest battle, the struggle with oneself.

At the European Championships in Aquatic Sports in Belgrade, in the discipline of Open Water, 176 swimmers from 40 countries will participate. The competition will take place at Ada Ciganlija, a lake whose location, water quality, surrounding vegetation, and length of the courses guarantee enjoyment for the audience and provide competitors with ideal conditions to show and give their best.