European Aquatics champions clean water and community at TrygFonden Copenhagen Swim 2025

The canals of Copenhagen provided the setting for the recent TrygFonden Copenhagen Swim 2025, where more than 5,500 swimmers took part in Denmark’s largest open water event, at one point passing Christiansborg Palace, the royal residence and seat of the Danish Parliament located on the island of Slotsholmen.

Among the thousands of athletes and spectators was European Aquatics President Antonio Silva, whose presence underlined the significance of the occasion not only for Denmark but also for the European aquatics movement as a whole.

Swim Denmark Chair and European Aquatics Bureau member Pia Johansen was also in attendance.

In his opening address, President Silva reflected on Europe’s unique connection to its rivers, seas and waterways, describing them as the lifeblood of the continent, shaping its history and binding communities together.

He praised Copenhagen for offering a living example of how clean and accessible water can unite people, foster joy, and create unforgettable experiences. For Silva, the message was clear: Europe is connected by water, and water connects people.

The event spoke directly to the heart of European Aquatics’ strategic priorities. Through its Aquatics Social Responsibility (ASR) framework, the federation is committed to ensuring that aquatics contributes to healthier communities, greater inclusivity, and a more sustainable future. Central to this mission is environmental stewardship, and the Copenhagen Swim, set against the backdrop of canals clean enough to host thousands of swimmers in the centre of a capital city, highlighted the possibilities when civic will, community action and aquatic sport come together.

Silva’s participation also reinforced European Aquatics’ wider efforts to champion clean water access across the continent.

With the organisation now certifying sustainable events under its “Blue Wave for Sustainability in Motion” initiative, and driving education programmes such as Swim Safe Europe, the Copenhagen Swim offered a tangible example of these principles in practice. It demonstrated how a major aquatic event can extend beyond sport, inspiring citizens and policymakers alike to protect natural resources while celebrating the unifying power of swimming.

For European Aquatics, TrygFonden Copenhagen Swim 2025 was far more than a sporting milestone. It was a powerful illustration of what the federation’s strategy seeks to achieve: aquatics as a driver of social responsibility, community cohesion and environmental awareness.

As thousands of swimmers traced the course around Christiansborg Palace, joined by international participants and even officials from the European Commission, the event reflected the shared European ambition to make clean and safe water accessible to all.

Stephen Stanley for European Aquatics

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