World Series 2026: Lignano Sabbiadoro ready to welcome Paralympic champions

After a rousing season opener in Gold Coast, Australia, the Para Swimming World Series continues its 2026 season in Lignano Sabbiadoro, Italy, where a strong international field will gather for the second of nine stops on this year’s calendar. 
 
Bella Italia EFA Village will welcome 394 elite athletes and rising talents from 40 nations, with the home country fielding the largest contingent. Several Paralympic and world champions are also expected to compete in multi-class events from 12 to 15 March.
 
During the four days of competition, all the heats and finals will be livestreamed here.
 
Italy arrive with the largest delegation of the competition, with 194 athletes registered. Among them is four-time Paralympic champion Carlotta Gilli (S13) who has established herself as one of the most successful visually impaired athletes in Para swimming, with an impressive collection of 14 world titles.

“I am very, very happy to have the possibility to compete in my country, in Italy, in this international competition. Competing at home, with the Italian public, my friends and family, creates an amazing atmosphere. It’s an incredible opportunity and I’m very happy to be able to experience this here,” said the Italian swimmer.
 
Gilli will compete in four events in Lignano Sabbiadoro: the 100m backstroke, 100m butterfly, and both the 50m and 100m freestyle. Known for her versatility across multiple strokes, she remains a consistent medal contender in major international competitions.

Italy finished their fourth consecutive World Championships as the nation with the highest number of gold medals.

“I think the secret of the Italian team is that all the athletes have the possibility to live and train at home, close to their families, friends and personal coaches. At the same time, we often come together for training camps and competitions, which allow us to build a very strong group. 

“We support each other in difficult moments and celebrate together in the happy ones. Having this balance — good living conditions, great coaches and a strong team culture — is very important and helps us train in the best possible way,” concluded Gilli. 

The #WorldSeries2026 is about to start — and there’s more behind it than just races.

Here’s what you need to know 👇 pic.twitter.com/sejke8s7Gi

— Para Swimming (@Para_swimming) February 9, 2026

Strong line-up

Italy’s lineup also features several other prominent names, including Paralympic champion Giulia Ghiretti (S5/SB4/SM5) as she returns to compete on home soil. 
 
Ghiretti reached the pinnacle of her career at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, where she captured gold in the women’s 100m breaststroke SB4. The event has become her signature race over the years, with the Italian swimmer building a remarkable record that includes world titles in Mexico City 2017, Madeira 2022 and Manchester 2023. 
 
In Lignano Sabbiadoro, Ghiretti is scheduled to compete in three events: the 100m breaststroke SB4, the 50m freestyle and the 200m individual medley. Competing in front of a home crowd, she will be aiming to continue her strong momentum following her Paralympic success and reinforce her position as one of the leading athletes in the SB4 class. 
 
Another key athlete for the host nation is Alberto Amodeo (S8), also 25, who enjoyed a breakthrough performance at Paris 2024 where he secured two gold medals. More recently, Amodeo delivered a strong showing at the Toyota World Para Swimming Championships – Singapore 2025, leaving the event with one gold and two silver medals. 
 
His gold medal came in the men’s 400m freestyle S8, a race that has become his specialty. Amodeo also claimed world titles in the same event at the World Championships in Madeira 2022 and in Manchester 2023. In Lignano Sabbiadoro, he will once again be a key contender in the freestyle events. 

International stars  

Beyond, several delegations will arrive with notable representation. Belarus, Uzbekistan and Poland are tied as the second-largest teams at the event, each entering 13 athletes, while Türkiye follows closely with 12 swimmers. 
 
Among Poland’s entries, Oliwia Jablonska (S10) will be one of the athletes to watch. The S10 swimmer secured a bronze medal in the women’s 400m freestyle at Singapore 2025 and continues to build her profile on the international stage. In Lignano Sabbiadoro, she is set to compete in the women’s 100m and 400m freestyle, 100m butterfly, and the 200m individual medley events. 
 
Turkiye’s Defne Kurt (S10) also enters the competition as one of the most exciting emerging talents in Para swimming. The Turkish swimmer made a remarkable international debut at the Worlds in Singapore – her first major Para swimming competition, where she captured five gold medals. 
 
Kurt is expected to compete in the same five events in which she became world champion: the 100m backstroke, 100m butterfly, 100m freestyle, 200m individual medley, and 50m freestyle. 
 
With established champions, rising stars and a strong home team, the Para Swimming World Series Lignano Sabbiadoro 2026 promises to deliver high-level racing and important early-season performances as athletes continue their preparations throughout the international calendar.