European Aquatics participated today, 21 May, in the European Week of Sport Key Players’ Seminar 2026, held online with the participation of National Coordinating Bodies and partners of the initiative from across Europe.

The seminar, organised from 09:30 to 12:30 CET, provided participants with an overview of the main milestones of the 2026 European Week of Sport campaign. The programme included a presentation by the European Commission on this year’s edition of the initiative, the unveiling of the 2026 #BeActive campaign visual identity by VO-Europe, as well as an exchange session with participating organisations and stakeholders.

The 2026 European Week of Sport campaign continues to promote physical activity, inclusion, wellbeing and European unity through sport, while this year’s Europe Day celebrations also marked the 76th anniversary of the Schuman Declaration, alongside 40 years since Portugal and Spain joined the European Union and 40 years since the first official Europe Day celebrations.

As part of its contribution to the initiative, European Aquatics presented several activities and proposals developed within the framework of the European Week of Sport, reinforcing the organisation’s commitment to promoting inclusion, wellbeing, participation and European values through aquatic sports.

One of the main initiatives highlighted was the Athlete Welfare in Sport Conference 2026, organised by European Aquatics in Dublin on 8 May. The conference brought together sports leaders, safeguarding experts, former athletes and policymakers from across Europe to discuss athlete welfare, safeguarding and the future of athlete protection in sport.

European Aquatics also took part in the Europe Day celebrations on 9 May through a series of sport and communication activations developed together with Member Federations, clubs and European partners.

As part of the initiative, European Aquatics launched the “Pass the Wave” social media campaign, inviting athletes from different federations to share personal stories about experiences, friendships and cooperation across Europe through aquatics. The campaign highlighted how sport connects athletes from different countries and cultures, reinforcing the message that Europe is “United by Water.”

From a sporting perspective, European Aquatics coordinated a series of Europe Day activations with Member Federations and clubs during international aquatic events held last weekend.

The proposed activities included:

• Displaying the European Union flag at water polo matches and aquatic events;
• Playing the EU anthem before matches and opening ceremonies;
• Encouraging teams to display EU symbols within competition venues;
• Encouraging referees to wear armbands representing the EU flag;
• Involving volunteers and children carrying EU flags or wearing EU-themed symbols during ceremonies and presentations.

The federations of Luxembourg, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Greece implemented the proposed activities during their events. In addition, BVSC Budapest water polo club also organised dedicated Europe Day branding and activations around their pool areas during matches.

European Aquatics continues to work closely with European institutions, Member Federations and partners to promote the values of unity, solidarity and inclusion through sport, while encouraging participation and active lifestyles across all age groups and communities.