Vladimir Salnikov Claims Russia Was Offered To Host 2028 European Aquatics Championships

This article has been updated since it was originally published on Feb. 27.

All-Russian Swimming President Vladimir Salnikov made a bold claim in Russian media on Tuesday amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Salnikov told state-owned news agency RIA Novosti that European Aquatics has proposed Kazan, Russia as the host of the 2028 European Aquatics Championships, an offer that goes against current restrictions and sentiment amid the war.

Kazan was scheduled to host the 2024 European Aquatics Championships before it was relocated due to the war.

Kazan was also scheduled to host the 2025 World Aquatics Championships, but the event was moved to Singapore last year due to Russia being blackballed from both participating in and hosting international sporting events due to the war.

Another event Kazan recently lost was the 2022 Short Course World Championships, which were moved to Melbourne, Australia.

“European Aquatics has proposed holding the 2028 European Championships in Kazan,” Salnikov told RIA Novosti. “At the moment, their proposals are under consideration. I cannot yet say when exactly the venue for the tournament will be finally approved.”

The European Aquatics Championships are held biennially, with the 2022 edition being held in Rome and the 2024 version on the horizon, scheduled for June 10-23 in Belgrade, Serbia. The 2026 edition will head to Paris, the home of this summer’s Olympic Games.

Kazan hosted the 2015 World Aquatics Championships and has also held World Cup events in the past, most recently in 2021.

Kazan is the capital city of the Russian state of Tatarstan. Tatarstan Sports Minister Vladimir Leonov had previously indicated that Kazan could host the 2029 Worlds in place of the 2025 edition.

European Aquatics told SwimSwam it is in “open dialogue” with the Russian Swimming Federation regarding the possibility of hosting future events, noting that it won’t be possible while the war is ongoing.

“Kazan, in Russia, was the contracted host for the 2024 edition of the European Aquatics Championships, until this event was postponed as a result of the war in Ukraine,” a European Aquatics spokesperson said. “Since then, ongoing discussions have been held with the Russian Swimming Federation, with whom we have an existing agreement, and they have been informed that Kazan would not be able to host the event while the armed conflict continues. Paris St-Denis has now been confirmed as host for the 2026 European Aquatics Championships, as France has fulfilled all organizational requirements and provided legacy benefits which would be of great social value to the sport.

“While open dialogue will continue with the Russian Swimming Federation, European Aquatics fully respects the rules set by World Aquatics which do not allow any international aquatic events to take place in Russia while the war continues. We will continue to monitor the situation carefully and review all options for future events.”