On May 9-22, the Ligue Européenne de Natacion (LEN), will host a record number of swimming federations at the European Aquatics Championships in London. 48 federations will compete at the former venue for the 2012 Olympic Games and showcase their talents in the last major championship meet before the 2016 Rio Olympics. Only 45 teams participated in swimming a the 2014 European Aquatics Championships.
In addition to a record 48 federations participating, stars including Katinka Hosszu and Marco Koch will be competing in London. While most Olympic contenders will have their full tapers set for Rio, almost 1,000 athletes will be competing, offering a big-stage preview for the biggest-stage meet in August.
In addition to swimming, European Championships in May will feature events in diving and synchronized swimming. The only event missing from the lineup is open water swimming, which will take place on July 10-14 in the Netherlands.
After leading the medals table in Berlin at Euros in 2014, Great Britain is looking to assert its European dominance in swimming at their home venue this year. In a press release by the LEN, former Olympic champion Rebecca Adlington now-retired, explains, “It’s amazing that they’re back here, in London and at this incredible venue. A nice milestone on the road to Rio. Rio is a massive thing, so for them to come here and experience a home crowd that’s going to have all their support, that’ll be great.”