Belgrade Announced As Hosts Of European Championships In June 2024

Milorad Cavic: Photo Courtesy: LA Times

Belgrade Announced As Hosts Of European Aquatics Championships In June 2024

The European Aquatics Championships will take place in Belgrade, Serbia, from 10-23 June 2024, just weeks before the Olympics get under way in Paris.

The announcement by European Aquatics that the 14-day meet will take place in the Serbian capital follows the search for a new host with the 2024 continental showpiece having initially been scheduled to take place in Kazan.

However, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine it was announced that LEN-sanctioned events would not be held in either Russia or Belarus.

Belgrade hosted the 2023 European Junior Championships but 2024 marks the first time it has staged the full aquatics championships.

Serbia has won four golds among six medals in European Championship history, courtesy of two apiece from Milorad Cavic and Velimir Stjepanovic.

The sport disciplines will take place as follows:

10-13 June Open Water Swimming
10-14 June Artistic Swimming
17-23 June Swimming and Diving

The swimming programme runs until 23 June, which is also the end of the qualification period for individual events at Paris 2024.

There may be a clash with the Sette Colli meet in Rome, which attracts a top-class field of international athletes, and this year ran from 23-25 June.

The meet will be followed by a Masters championships featuring all the disciplines and which run from 25 June-5 July.

European Aquatics President Antonio Silva said:

“On behalf of European Aquatics, we are delighted to announce that the European Aquatics Championships will take place next year from 10-23 of June, prior to the Olympic Games.

“With the geopolitical challenges Europe is currently facing, it has been a real challenge to find a new home after the postponement of the event in the original host city of Kazan.

“I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to the Serbian Swimming Association, led by President Boris Drobac, and the Serbian Government for its outstanding commitment and support, as well as to colleagues from the European Aquatics Bureau and Office who have worked tirelessly to ensure that this major championships could take its place on the 2024 Calendar.”

1^st Vice President Josip Varvodic added:

“Thank you Serbia, on behalf of European Aquatics and myself, for appreciating the importance of this event and taking on the task of organising a European Aquatics Championships with just six months’ preparation time.

“I have to specially mention my bureau colleague Vanja Udovicic, one of the best waterpolo players of his era, who recognized the importance of this event for European Aquatics and gave his unconditional support.

“Having won gold medals in water polo at the last two Olympic Games, Serbia has a deep appreciation for aquatic sports, as well as top athletes, and we can look forward to seeing them compete at the upcoming European Aquatic Championships on home ground.

“It remains for me to invite everyone to join us from 10 June until 5 July in Serbia, a country that loves and values sport, to enjoy a month full of thrilling aquatic competition.”

Name*

Email*

Welcome to our community. We invite you to join our discussion. Our community guidelines are simple: be respectful and constructive, keep on topic, and support your fellow commenters. Commenting signifies that you agree to our Terms of Use