On Friday, January 16, 2026, a meeting was held at the Paralimni-Deryneia Town Hall to discuss the organization of international open water marathon swimming competitions, which will be hosted in Protaras.
The meeting was attended by the Mayor of Paralimni-Deryneia, Mr. George Nicolettos, members of the Municipal Council, municipal officials, as well as representatives of the Cyprus Swimming Federation (KOEK), and members of the Organizing Committee for the games.
The events will take place in the Fig Tree Bay area in Protaras on April 18 and 19, 2026. On the first day, for the second consecutive year, the first leg of the European Open Water Swimming Marathon Cup will be held, covering a distance of 10 kilometers, with the participation of top elite athletes.
The event is particularly significant given that the European Swimming Federation has entrusted the hosting of the European Open Water Swimming Marathon Cup to just five cities across Europe, among which is Protaras. The other cities hosting the event are Munich (Germany), Razanac (Croatia), Barcelona (Spain), and Tenero (Switzerland). The selection of Protaras alongside internationally recognized destinations confirms Cyprus' high level of organization, infrastructure, and reliability in hosting top sporting events.
The extremely successful and well-organized event in 2025 was a decisive factor in the European Swimming Federation's decision to re-award the organization of the event to the Cyprus Swimming Federation. At the same time, this year's event is being substantially upgraded with the addition of two more international competitions.
Specifically, on the first day, the 800-meter race for Special Olympics athletes will take place, while on the second day, the 3-kilometer race for veteran athletes will take place. Both events will be held for the first time as part of the European Cup, which confirms the European Federation's increased confidence in KOEK and Cyprus' ability to host high-level events.
In addition, on the second day of the competition, the Cyprus Swimming Federation will organize an international 5 km race, further enhancing the competition program and the international appeal of the event.
Hosting major international sporting events contributes significantly to promoting Cyprus as a reliable and attractive sporting destination, reinforces
sports tourism, promotes the values of equal participation and inclusion, and generates significant economic and social benefits for the local community and the country as a whole.
With favorable weather conditions and the crystal clear waters of Protaras, a significant influx of athletes, companions, and visitors from abroad is expected, boosting the local economy and, at the same time, Cyprus' international image in the field of open water sports.
Finally, the Organizing Committee of the Games, in close cooperation with local authorities, has drawn up a three-year strategic plan, which includes bidding for and hosting European and world marathon swimming events, with the aim of promoting the sustainable development of the sport and raising Cyprus's profile on the international sporting map in the long term.