European Open Championships to return to Madeira in 2024

Madeira will once again host one of the most important international Para swimming events in the lead up to the Paralympic Games in 2024. The Madeira 2024 Para Swimming European Open Championships will take place from 21 to 27 April at the Penteada Olympic Pools Complex in Funchal.

It will be the third time the competition is held in the Portuguese island following the 2016 and 2021 editions ahead of the Rio and Tokyo Paralympics, respectively.

As an Open Championships, it will welcome entries from countries outside of Europe. In 2021, 370 athletes from 47 delegations took part in the European Open Championships in Madeira with 13 new world records set during seven days of competition.

The Minimum Qualifying Standards (MQS) of the Madeira 2024 Para Swimming European Open Championships can be found here.

Craig Nicholson, Head of World Para Swimming, said: “Madeira has become a regular stop in the international Para swimming calendar and we are delighted to return to the island for the next edition of the European Open Championships. This event provides an opportunity for athletes and teams to test themselves against the world’s best before heading to Paris for the Paralympic Games. I would like to thank the Portuguese Swimming Federation, the Local Organising Committee and their partners for standing in at the last minute to host the championships.”

Antonio Silva, President of the Portuguese Swimming Federation, said: “It is with great please that we welcome once again one of the biggest Para swimming events in the world. In the year of the Paralympic Games, we are delighted to welcome the best Para swimmers in the world in our wonderful Island and in one of the most beautiful venues on the planet. It is amazing to see that Portugal and Madeira are now major stages of Para swimming and we hope everyone comes to share the joy of this event where competition will be at its highest level.”

The Funchal Olympic Pool Complex was inaugurated in 2004 and is located in the heart of Madeira’s capital Funchal. It is set over five floors and includes a 50-metre competition pool, a diving pool and a 25-metre training pool.

The venue also hosted the 2022 World Championships witnessing 26 countries win gold medals and 15 world records broken during the course of the event.