2018 Para Swimming European Championships Coming To Dublin

Paralympics Ireland, together with its event partners; Swim Ireland, Fلilte Ireland, and Sport Ireland today officially announced that they will host the 2018 Para Swimming European Championships at the National Aquatic Centre from 13th – 19th August 2018.

This is the very first time such a prestigious Para sport event, which is governed by World Para Swimming, will come to Ireland. The event will attract many of the world’s leading Para swimmers with over 500 athletes from forty countries set to descend on the capital for seven days of unforgettable competition in August next year.

Notably, the Championships will be the biggest competition to be held at the National Aquatic Centre in fifteen years presenting an unrivalled opportunity to internationally showcase all the National Sports Campus has to offer.

Speaking at the announcement newly appointed Minister for State at the Department of Tourism, Transport and Sport Mr. Brendan Griffin T.D. stated: “The Government is delighted that this event is coming to Dublin, and the National Sports Campus in particular. Ireland has a rich and proud tradition in Para swimming with many medallists down through the years, yet the Irish public have never before had the opportunity to experience a major Para Sport Championships. Many of the current Irish swimmers train daily in this fine facility so to be able to bring such an important event to their home pool is very special, and I’m confident the public will support this event in great numbers.”

Chairman of Sport Ireland, Kieran Mulvey said: “Sport Ireland is delighted to partner with Paralympics Ireland, Swim Ireland and Fلilte Ireland on the hosting of the 2018 Para Swimming European Championships at the National Aquatic Centre on the Sport Ireland National Sports Campus. I want to commend Paralympics Ireland who had a vision back in 2014 to capitalise on the swell in support for Paralympic sport in Ireland following a fantastic London Games and put in a bid for this prestigious event. After a lengthy process we were delighted to learn that the bid was successful and look forward to what will be a wonderful event next year. I would like to wish the Local Organising Committee, event partners Swim Ireland and Fلilte Ireland and everyone involved in the running of this event the very best for the year ahead.”

Commenting on the news President of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Sir Philip Craven said: “We are greatly excited to be staging this event in Dublin and would like to the thank the organising committee and all delivery partners for their enthusiasm so far.

 “This Championships will be the largest Para sport event ever to held in Ireland and I am confident that with multiple Paralympic, world and defending European champions in action, the public will be treated to the very best of what Para swimming has to offer.

On foot of the remarkable success of the Irish team at the London 2012 Paralympic Games Paralympics Ireland was determined to find a way to maintain the increased public awareness, commercial support and media engagement generated at that time. Hosting a major para sport competition for very first time in Ireland, right at the midpoint between the Rio and Tokyo Games was seen as the ideal solution.

Support of key agencies was vital so Swim Ireland, Sport Ireland, and Fلilte Ireland all committed to becoming event partners and the Irish bid was deemed successful with Dublin 2018 awarded the rights to host this event on behalf of World Para Swimming.

Addressing the audience at the announcement CEO of Paralympics Ireland and Chairperson of the Organising Committee Miriam Malone said: “We firmly believe true understanding and appreciation of the elite athletic nature of Paralympic athletes can only realised by witnessing the sport live.

Irish Paralympic athletes have been competing and achieving consistently all over world for many years. We are incredibly excited and extremely proud that now we can bring them home and provide the opportunity for a supportive Irish public to see for themselves their talent and that of their European counterparts.”

Three time Paralympian and bronze medallist from the Rio Paralympic Games twenty two year old Ellen Keane spoke of what is means to her, and the team: “To think that we will have the chance to show our families, friends and the public just what we have dedicated our lives to is so very special. Representing Ireland on the international stage is a tremendous honour and to do so in front of a home crowd is what we all dream of. We are so excited to showcase elite Para sport to the country and provide this platform to grow the sport of Para swimming in Ireland, and hopefully build a precious legacy towards Tokyo and beyond.”