On Friday, January 16, 2026, a meeting was held at the Paralimni - Deryneia Town Hall regarding the organization of international open sea swimming marathon competitions, which will be hosted in Protaras.
The meeting was attended by the Mayor of Paralimni - Deryneia, Mr. George Nikolettos, members of the Municipal Council, municipal officials, as well as, on behalf of the Cyprus Swimming Federation (KOEK), the President, Mr. Alexandros Christoforou, and members of the Organizing Committee of 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, the first leg of the European Open Sea Swimming Marathon Cup, a distance of 10 kilometers, will be held for the second consecutive year, with the participation of top elite athletes.
The event is particularly significant because the European Swimming Federation has assigned the European Open Water Swimming Marathon Cup to just five cities across Europe, including Protaras. The other cities hosting the event are Munich (Germany), Razanac (Croatia), Barcelona (Spain) and Tenero (Switzerland). The choice of Protaras alongside internationally renowned destinations confirms the high level of organization, infrastructure and reliability of Cyprus in hosting top sporting events.
The extremely successful and excellent organization of 2025 was a decisive factor in the re-awarding of the organization to the Cyprus Swimming Federation by the European Swimming Federation. At the same time, this year's organization is being substantially upgraded, with the addition of two more international events.
Specifically, the 800m event for Special Olympics athletes will be held on the first day, while the 3km event for veteran athletes will be held on the second day. Both events will be held for the first time within the framework of the European Cup, which confirms the increased confidence of the European Federation in KOEK and the ability of Cyprus to host high-level events.
Additionally, on the second day of the competitions, the Cyprus Swimming Federation will organize an international 5 km race, further enhancing the competition program and the international appeal of the event.
Hosting large-scale international sporting events contributes substantially to the promotion of Cyprus as a reliable and attractive sporting destination, strengthens
sports tourism, promotes the values of equal participation and inclusion, and creates significant economic and social benefits for the local community and the country more broadly.
With the weather conditions and the crystal clear waters of Protaras as allies, a significant influx of athletes, escorts and visitors from abroad is expected, strengthening the local economy and at the same time the international image of Cyprus in the field of offshore sports.
Finally, the Organizing Committee of the games, in close collaboration with local bodies, has drawn up a three-year strategic plan, which includes the pursuit and hosting of European and global swimming marathon events, with the aim of the sustainable development of the sport and the long-term promotion of Cyprus on the international sports map.
