Athletes and officials praise milestone Special Olympics and EA collaboration at Barcelona Open Water Swimming Cup

The Special Olympics 800m competition that took place within the weekend’s European Aquatics Open Water Swimming Cup leg 4 in Barcelona was “a tremendous first step” in an ongoing collaboration.

That was the assessment of Matteo Secchi,  sport manager of Special Olympics Europe and Eurasia (SOEE), after an open water event that proved hugely rewarding for the 27 athletes from nine countries who were involved.

“The open water event in Barcelona was more than just a competition,” Secchi told European Aquatics. “It was a powerful statement of our shared commitment to inclusion.

“Seeing 27 swimmers take to the water alongside European Aquatics’ best was a tremendous first step.

“This collaboration is about creating new pathways and opportunities, demonstrating that the power of sport knows no boundaries.

“We are incredibly proud to be making waves together, and this event signals a bright future for aquatics that is truly accessible to all.”

The event in Barcelona was the first tangible result of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by European Aquatics President Antonio Silva and David Evangelista, the SOEE’s President and managing director, at the EA Junior Swimming Championships in Samorin, on July 4.

There were four categories of competition – two men’s divisions, one women’s division and one unified division which allowed athletes to swim together with their partners.

“The swimmers have been super excited, it’s not only an international competition for them, it’s also a great occasion to be on the stage of European Aquatics which is the most recognised organisation for swimming in Europe” Secchi added.

 “It was such an incredible experience – being here and living this event was so amazing.

 “This is definitely our start and first step; we’ll see in the future how we can increase these opportunities for both sides and we already get some offers here to join future events. Peopled like it, they enjoyed it as well as the athletes.”

Secchi’s view was amply backed by the testimony of those who took part.

Slovakia’s Peter Ispold, winner of Division A Men, commented: “I’m so excited to win and I want to thank everyone who has helped me to be here. This is one of the best moments of my sporting life.”

 Italy’s Alessandra Memoli added: “This is so incredible. This is my first time in Barcelona with the Special Olympics of Italy and I want to say thank you very much to my coach and my team-mates and those I train with at the Verona Swimming Team.”

Adam Stewart of Gibraltar said: “I’m so proud to be swimming in the open water today. This is one of the best moments of my life. The team are my friends and my family and we are all supporting one another together.”

His team-mate Ivan Gabri Gomez-Mannion added: “To be honest, it’s my first time doing open water and this is a new level for me, being in the ocean and after this I would love to give it a go again because I had a really fun time today.

 “This event has been special to me, everyone coming together to win, but also train together and learning each other’s speed and ability so that way not only can they win, but get closer together as friends and family because this is what competing is all about.”

Maureen Johanna Walraven of The Netherlands praised the “good competition with good organisation.”

Silvia Costa, Head of Aquatics Social Responsibility at European Aquatics, commented:

“It’s really a special day because this event marks an important beginning of this special events including the Special Olympics and this is an important milestone for European Aquatics and also for the co-operation with Special Olympics Europe and Eurasia.

“It is part of our EA social strategy and for me it’s a real honour and for European Aquatics to see things happening is very significant.

 “In my opinion it is also really important to show to all the community what is real inclusion and we’re talking about putting people together and what is possible when it comes to inclusion around social responsibility.”

Mike Rowbottom for European Aquatics 

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