Two years after the Olympic Aquatic Centre hosted Paris 2024 competition the vice-president of the French Swimming Federation, Lazreg Benelhadj, is anticipating another “historic moment” when the European Aquatics Championships start at the same venue tomorrow.
Speaking at a press conference within the Centre attended by world and Olympic medallists and leading officials including the European Aquatics secretary general Noam Zwi, Benelhadj announced:
“We have worked towards these Championships since the Olympics were completed in 2024.
“Today we are one day away from another historic moment. All is ready and this beautiful centre is ready too.
“We welcomed the world for the Paris 2024 Games. Now we are ready to welcome Europe.
“We are proud to share this moment with you.
“Tomorrow we will write history together.”
Zwi thanked the organising committee, volunteers and sponsors for their “huge work” in preparing for the impending Championships.
“Just two years ago this magnificent centre hosted the Olympc Games. Now we are about to compete in the same place. The Olympic legacy means creating opportunities and inspiring the next generation.
“At these Championships we will be able to feature five events at the same time – swimming, diving, open water swimming, artistic swimming and high diving. This will be a real showcase of all our talents.
“This year we are especially proud to reach an important milestone because for the first time in these Championships we will be including para-swimming. We believe our sport is strongest when it is inclusive and open to all.
“Alongside the Championships we will be hosting the Swim Safe Conference, bringing together experts and educators in a mission to enable more children to develop life-saving water skills.
“We will also start the celebration of our Centenary next year starting with the launch at a Gala dinner in the Champs Elysees on August 8.”
Italian diver Chiara Pellacani, who will defend her 1m springboard title here, reflected on the positive experience she had had in this Centre while competing at the Paris 2024 Games.
“Coming here after two years feels amazing because I had some of the best memories here in this pool,” said the athlete voted as European Aquatics female diver of 2025 after winning two individual world bronze medals and earning world gold in the 3m synchro with Matteo Santoro.
“I had such a great time during the Olympics, so I have positive feelings about being here.
“I love the pool, the boards are amazing so I am very excited to be here to compete.
“Our goal is definitely to get the 3m synchro title back! We had an amazing season last year so we are excited. And I’m looking forward to all my other events.
“I will have my parents and a few friends here to watch me. I remember at the Olympics it was very important for me to have them here with me and they will be back to watch me dive. I enjoy it so much when I can share all this with them.”
Pellacani’s team mate Lucrezia Ruggiero, who has won three European gold medals in artistic swimming, told European Aquatics:
“I love Paris. My first time here was for the Olympics so for sure the city has a magical place in my heart.
“I’m happy to be here again because for me the Paris Olympics was half a beautiful experience and half not because my partner got sick before the competition so I didn’t compete in the duet.
“So it’s like a double emotion. But I’m very happy to be here and I love this swimming pool.”
France’s Marc-Antoine Olivier, who earned open water swimming bronze in the Seine at the Paris 2024 Games, said:
“I’m very excited to be back swimming in the Seine and representing my country.
“I finished third here at the Olympics and now I want my revenge – now I have a second chance for a gold medal here.
“I have had to reorganise my training because I have a baby now. But I will be arriving here to compete in good shape.”
Great Britain’s 20-year-old artistic swimmer Ranjuo Tomblin, seeking a third consecutive European solo gold here, added:
“The facilities are absolutely amazing. This pool holds so many memories from the Olympic Games, so it’s very special to be able to come back here to compete.
“I’ll be doing four different routines this week, and I’ll obviously be hoping to do my best in all of them.
“I’ve had such an amazing season so far in the World Cup, and I want to keep going on with that momentum.”
Quentin Gesell, Vice President sports delegate for the Métropole du Grand Paris, commented:
“The Aquatic Centre was a legacy from the Games and now it is being used for other fantastic events.
“We have worked to get the Centre ready again for high-level competition, transforming the site in order to allow for 5,000 spectators. The arena will become a cauldron of light from tomorrow onwards.”
Alex Jandard, Diving Ambassador for Paris 2026 and entered for the 3m springboard and 3m synchro here, commented:
“This is a great opportunity to show what France can do with sports. We were aiming for a super competition here after the Olympics and this is the case now, so we are very proud.”
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Mike Rowbottom for European Aquatics
