Over 700 athletes are gathering at d'Coque this weekend for the 18th annual Euro Meet swimming championships, opening Friday 29 January 2016.
Six of the 67 hopefuls joined for a press conference held by Euro Meet organisers the Luxembourg Swimming Federation (FLNS) on Friday morning, ahead of the competition which will see swimmers from 112 clubs spanning 26 countries compete for part of the total €22,000 in prize money. Among those competing for the Grand Duchy will be Laurent Carnol in the 100m and 200m Breaststroke; Julie Meynen in the 50m and 100m Freestyle; and Raphaël Stacchiotti in the 200m and 400m Medley, 100m Butterfly and 100m Freestyle.
"One thing I really enjoy is the atmosphere of the competition," commented Raphaël Stacchiotti, explaining how the contest provides a rare opportunity for world and international champions to come together. "It's always really uplifting, there's always a lot of cheering."
"It is a big meet for us," added Laurent Carnol on what the competition means to him. "Every year we come. We grew up with it."
The Luxembourg hopefuls will be joined by a host of international stars, including German five-time Gold medallist Marco Koch, for whom the Euro Meet represents the first international competition he took part in and which this year he will be participating in for the eighth time; Hungarian-born Katinka Hosszu who holds 49 international medals to her name, including 5 Gold at the World Championships; and László Cseh, who holds 6 European Records and has won 33 Gold Medals for his home country of Hungary.
The championship comprises 34 events with A and B finals for both, and is also recognised as a Qualifying Event for the Olympic Games Rio 2016.
Timings: Friday from 16:00; Saturday from 08:30 (heats) and from 17:00 (finals); Sunday from 08:30 (heats) and from 16:00 (finals).
For more information, including the full programme, visit www.euromeet.lu
Photos by Sarah Graham
