London looks set to experience the extraordinary as the 2019 World Para Swimming Allianz Championships comes to the city from 9th to 15th of September.
Taking place at the London Aquatics Centre, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, the World Para Swimming Allianz Championships is the largest disability swimming competition outside of the Paralympic Games and will see around 600 swimmers from 60 countries compete over the seven days.
Having played host to the London 2012 Paralympic Games swimming events and the scene for so many memorable performances, the London Aquatics Centre will once again welcome the best in the world and ensure the Paralympic legacy lives on. Many of the athletes who competed there seven years ago are excited to return and compete at such an iconic venue.
Ellie Simmonds OBE, who won two gold medals at the 2012 Games, reflects on what it meant to her to compete once again at the London Aquatics Centre:
“London 2012 was an incredible experience, to represent my country on home soil, and was something I’ll never forget so to get the chance to do it all over again at the 2019 World Para Swimming Championships is pretty special.
We don’t get many opportunities to compete on a global stage against the world’s best para swimmers, so it’ll be a great test for all the athletes and hopefully make for a highly competitive, compelling viewing for the fans.”
Commenting on the 2019 World Para Swimming Championships being hosted in London, Rio Olympic Gold medallist and British Swimming star Mikey Jones, added:
“The 2019 World Championships is the biggest para swimming event outside of the Paralympics, so to be competing in such a prestigious competition in London, in front of a home crowd, is an amazing opportunity.
The World Championships is an especially important event for our Tokyo 2020 preparations, so we’ll all be aiming to win medals and post strong times. We hope to see as many of the British public there as possible to help us achieve this.”
The 2019 World Para Swimming Championships also presents athletes with an opportunity to book a place at the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo. With the stakes so high, this event promises to be of the highest calibre.
Event organisers have set tickets prices starting at £1 for day sessions and £5 for evening sessions, ensuring the event is accessible to all and creates an extraordinary atmosphere.
International athletes to watch
- Simone Barlaam, Italy – The 18-year-old is one of the most promising swimmers in the world following his four gold medals in the last European Championships.
- Ievgenii Bogodaiko, Ukraine – Five-time Paralympic champion.
- Ihar Boki, Belarus – 11-time Paralympic champion, five gold medals at London 2012 and the most successful athlete at the Rio 2016 Paralympics with six gold and one bronze medal.
- Ellie Cole, Australia – Six-time Paralympic champion and 15-time Paralympic medallist.
- Daniel Dias, Brazil – 14-time Paralympic champion, six gold medals at London 2012.
- Ellen Keane, Ireland – Paralympic medallist and European champion in the S9 class, one of the most competitive classes in the tournament.
- Jessica Long, USA – 13-time Paralympic champion, five gold medals at London 2012.
- Rebecca Meyers, USA – Three-time Paralympic champion.
- Sophie Pascoe, New Zealand – Nine-time Paralympic champion, three golds at London 2012.
- Aurelie Rivard, Canada – Three-time Paralympic champion.
London 2019 will be the ninth edition of the World Para Swimming Championships, returning to Great Britain for the second time following the 2015 event in Glasgow.
Be there to ensure the UK proves to be a fitting host – ticket prices start from just £1 per session. Grab yours today: www.seetickets.com/go/2019worldparaswim.
By 2019 World Para Swimming
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