Aquatics Centre Set For International Return In 2016
International swimming action will return to London in 2016 after the capital city was selected to host the 2016 European Championships – the first international event at the Aquatics Centre since last year’s Olympic Games.
The Stratford venue will also host the European Masters Championships, for swimmers over the age of 25.
The events, which feature swimming, diving and synchronised swimming, will be held at the venue within the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
The successful campaign to host the event is the latest coup for UK Sport’s £27 million ($42 million/€32million) National Lottery-funded Gold Event Series which aims to bring 70 major championships to home soil to build a strong sporting legacy from last year’s Games.
The exact date is yet to be announced but, given it is an Olympic year, it is likely to be held in early summer ahead of the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro.
British Swimming chief executive David Sparkes said: ‘The competition is an important stepping stone to enable our elite athletes to compete at a high quality competition early in 2016 before they travel out to the Olympic Games.’
‘It will also allow every swimmer in Britain to enter the European Masters Championships and swim in the Olympic pool in London and experience the fantastic atmosphere of the venue.’
The bid involved a partnership of British Swimming, UK Sport, the Olympic Park Legacy Company and London.
Minister for Sport Hugh Robertson added: ‘I am delighted that we’ve landed the 2016 European Championships. It’s the latest addition to a stellar line-up of world class sport events coming to Britain as part of the legacy from London 2012. I am sure the British public will be hugely supportive and pack the Aquatic Centre out on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.’
The £251 million Aquatics Centre is currently in the final stages of being reconfigured following London 2012.
The 15,000 temporary seats installed for London 2012 have been removed ahead of the installing of the new panes of glass, which is currently being completed at a rate of 10 panes of glass per working day.
