Protaras hosts the biggest swimming event ever held in Cyprus

The biggest swimming event and one of the most important international sporting events that Cyprus has ever hosted was hosted these days by Protaras where the European Open Water Swimming Cup was held at the famous Fig Tree Bay beach.

The very important organization was undertaken by the Municipality of Paralimni - Deryneia in cooperation with the European Swimming Federation and the Cyprus Swimming Federation.

The event in Protaras, which took place on Saturday, May 3, 2025, is the first of the five legs, since four more events will follow to complete the European calendar in Setubal, Paris, Barcelona and Razanak.

Present in Cyprus for the event are the President of the Pan-European Swimming Federation Antonio Silva, the Secretary Noam Svi, as well as members of the European technical committees, who have been put in charge of the race.

On Saturday, the 10km race took place at the Fig Tree Bay sea area in men's and women's categories.

100 escorts and officials and 90 athletes (including world champions) from 16 countries have been accredited to the race: Slovenia, Hungary, Poland, Israel, Israel, Monaco, France, Croatia, Netherlands, Great Britain, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Belgium, Bulgaria, Italy, Greece and Cyprus. Among the athletes were the Cypriots Yannis Ergatoudis and Andreas Gavriel.

On Friday evening, May 2, 2025, the opening ceremony of the games took place at Fig Tree Bay beach, during which the official delegations of the national teams were presented. Greetings were given by the Mayor of Paralmeni Deryneia George Nicolettos, the President of the European Swimming Federation Antonio Silva and the President of the Cyprus Swimming Federation Alexandros Christoforou.

During his address, the President of the European Swimming Federation Antonio Silva expressed his enthusiasm for the excellent organization undertaken by the Municipality of Paralimniu - Deryneia and his impressions for the area and the crystal clear waters and infrastructure, expressing the intention to make efforts to host not only more European but also international swimming events.

It should be noted that the organization and the sponsorship of the games is undertaken by the Municipality of Paralimniu - Deryneia.