European Masters Championships 2018: A Celebration of Excellence in Kranj, Slovenia

Welcome to the European Masters Championships 2018 fan page! Held in the charming city of Kranj in Slovenia, this event brought together elite athletes from across Europe. From August 26th to September 9th, competitors displayed their prowess in swimming, diving, synchronized swimming, water polo, and open water swimming.

Let us delve into the highlights and memorable moments of this prestigious championship!

Dates and Venues

The European Masters Championships 2018 took place from August 26th to September 9th, spread across multiple venues:

Swimming and Water Polo: Kranj, at the modern Kranj Olympic Pool
Diving: Jesenice, known for its excellent diving facilities
Synchronized Swimming: Kamnik, a town rich in cultural heritage
Open Water Swimming: The stunning Lake Bled, offering a picturesque setting for endurance swimming

The event was organized by the European Swimming League (LEN).

Competitions and Sports

Let’s start with an overview of the competitions and the sports that took place in this competition.

Swimming

Swimming events formed the core of the European Masters Championships 2018, featuring an array of disciplines such as freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly, and individual medley. The competitions were held at the Kranj Olympic Pool, a state-of-the-art facility known for its excellent infrastructure and capacity to host international events. Athletes competed across various age groups, starting from 25+ and extending up to the 80+ category, allowing a broad range of participants to highlight their talents.

Key highlights included the breaking of several European and world records. For instance, Michal Bielawski from Poland set a new European Masters record in the 100m freestyle, clocking an impressive 51.16 seconds.

Notable Swimming Events and Performances

Highly competitive 50m Freestyle, especially in the men’s 50-54 age group with 79 participants, and women’s with 64 competitors
Popular events included the 4×50m freestyle and medley relays
Several records were broken, including world records in the 200m breaststroke by Olga Kozlova (Russia) in the 45-49 age group with a time of 2:40.15

Diving

The diving competitions, held in Jesenice, featured the 1m, 3m, and platform dives. Athletes demonstrated exceptional control and artistry, performing complex dives that were judged on their execution and degree of difficulty.

Key Competitions:

1m and 3m Springboard: These events saw intense competition with athletes showcasing their precision and technique
Platform Diving: Highlighted the courage and skill of divers as they executed intricate dives from significant heights

Open Water Swimming

Lake Bled served as the breathtaking venue for the open water swimming events. Competitors took part in 3km, 5km, and 10km races, with the stunning natural beauty of the lake providing a unique environment.

Here are the highlights from this competition:

10km Race: One of the most grueling events, with standout performances including John West from Great Britain, who set a new European record for the 60-64 age group
Scenic Venue: The serene yet demanding course of Lake Bled added a distinct charm and challenge to the competitions

Water Polo

Water polo matches were held at the Kranj Olympic Pool, featuring teams from across Europe. The tournament ran from August 26th to 31st, concluding with thrilling finals for the fans. Water polo events were among the most exciting, drawing large crowds and creating a lively and cheerful atmosphere. It is essential to mention the impressive skills of players like Ivan Marković from Croatia and Luca Rossi from Italy, which were instrumental in their teams’ successes.

Synchronized Swimming

The synchronized swimming events took place in Kamnik, a town known for its cultural richness. Athletes performed intricate routines set to music, demonstrating grace, strength, and precision. The program included solo, duet, team, and combo routine performances, each judged on synchronization, artistic impression, and technical merit.

Solo and Duet Routines: Individual and pair performances were particularly mesmerizing, with athletes executing perfectly synchronized moves that captivated the audience. Standout performances included those by Katerina Poláková from the Czech Republic, whose duet routine was a highlight of the championships.
Team Events: These events highlighted the complexity and beauty of synchronized swimming, with teams performing elaborate routines that required flawless coordination and artistic expression. The Russian team, known for their precision and innovative choreography, delivered a memorable performance that earned them high praise and accolades.

Participants

Over 3,000 athletes from 40 countries participated, making the 2018 European Masters Championships a truly international event. Notable athletes included:

Michal Bielawski (Poland): A standout in freestyle, Michal set a new European record in the 100m freestyle
Olga Kozlova (Russia): Dominating in breaststroke and individual medley, Olga set several records and was a highlight of the championships
John West (Great Britain): An open water swimming veteran, John demonstrated his exceptional endurance and skill, excelling in the 5km and 10km events
Katerina Poláková (Czech Republic): A star in synchronized swimming, Katerina’s performances captivated audiences and earned her numerous accolades

Results and Highlights

Medal Table

The top three countries in the medal standings were:

Italy: Dominating with a total of 150 medals, excelling particularly in swimming and diving events
Russia: Close behind with 130 medals, showcasing their strength in breaststroke, individual medley, and synchronized swimming
Germany: Securing 110 medals, with strong performances in freestyle, backstroke, and open water swimming

Record-Breaking Performances

Michal Bielawski broke the European Masters record in the 100m freestyle with a time of 51.16 seconds
Olga Kozlova set a new world record in the 200m breaststroke (45-49 age category), finishing in 2:40.15
John West shattered the European record in the 10km open water swim (60-64 age category), completing the distance in 2 hours and 10 minutes

Popular Events

The most popular swimming events were the 50m freestyle for both men and women, with 79 male swimmers in the 50-54 age group and 64 female swimmers in the same age group. The most popular relays were the men’s 4×50m freestyle (4 x age = Age Group 160-199) with 15 teams, and the women’s 4×50m medley (4 x age = Age Group 200-239) with 11 teams. The 4×50m freestyle mixed relay (2 men + 2 women) in the age group 160-199 saw participation from 23 teams.

Media Coverage

The European Masters Championships 2018 received extensive media coverage, ensuring that fans around the world could follow the action.

Broadcast Information

The event was broadcast live on several TV channels, including Eurosport and RTV Slovenia. Additionally, online streaming platforms such as YouTube and Facebook Live provided real-time coverage, allowing fans to watch the competitions from anywhere in the world. Fans also used the hashtag #EuMasters2018 to share their experiences, photos, and videos.

Fan Activities

Fans enjoyed a variety of activities, including:

Meet-and-Greet Sessions: Opportunities to meet their favorite athletes and get autographs
Interactive Workshops: Sessions on swimming techniques, fitness, and nutrition, conducted by experts and former champions
Cultural Events: Performances by local artists and cultural showcases, adding to the festive atmosphere

Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteers played a crucial role in the success of the championships. Information on volunteering, including roles and responsibilities, was made available through the official event website and social media channels. Volunteers assisted with tasks such as event setup, athlete coordination, and visitor support, gaining valuable experience and contributing to the community.

Legacy and Impact

The Championship left a lasting impact on the local community and the world of Masters sports.

Long-term Impact

The event boosted local tourism and showcased Kranj as a premier destination for sports events. The influx of visitors provided a significant economic boost to the region, benefiting local businesses and services. The championships also inspired a renewed interest in swimming and other aquatic sports, encouraging more people to participate in these activities.

Final words from a life-long fan of sports

Attending the European Masters Championships 2018 in Kranj was an unforgettable experience! The atmosphere was electric, the venues were filled with both enthusiastic fans and amazing athletes from all over Europe competing passionately across various aquatic disciplines. Watching Pauline Vanet and Jennifer Thater win so many medals and be so enthusiastic about their discipline was indeed the highlight for me, and the camaraderie among participants of all ages was inspiring.

The city of Kranj, to which I had not been before the event, provided a beautiful experience and hospitality, and the organization of the event was top-notch! Meeting athletes from different countries and witnessing such high-level competition was truly motivating!

Thank you for visiting our fan page! We hope you enjoyed reliving the excitement of the European Masters Championships 2018 and look forward to seeing you at future events!