Malta To Host 1st Special Olympics European Swimming Open This September

Special Olympics Malta has officially launched the Special Olympics European Swimming Open Malta 2026, the first international Special Olympics swimming event to be hosted by the organisation.

The competition will take place between 10 and 14 September 2026 at the National Pool in Tal-Qroqq, bringing together more than 400 athletes from 40 countries.

The event will also feature a programme of parallel initiatives, including a sports village with a Bocce competition for more than 200 athletes, a Healthy Athletes screening programme covering six disciplines, and a Motor Activity Training Programme (MATP) festival organised in collaboration with Aġenzija Sapport for around 500 athletes.

Special Olympics Malta President Lydia Abela said the Games' theme, Beyond the Wave, is intended to send a message of hope and opportunity to athletes, despite the challenges they face every day.

She added that the event also aims to show how society can achieve more by working together to build a more inclusive community with equal opportunities for all.

Minister for Inclusion and Volunteering Julia Farrugia described Special Olympics Malta as proof that inclusion is achieved through action rather than words.

She said the Government has continued investing in opportunities that enable persons with disabilities to participate fully in sporting and social life, while thanking the athletes, their families and volunteers for their dedication.

Minister for Education and Sport Byron Camilleri said Special Olympics is more than a sporting competition, describing it as a movement that changes lives by building confidence and resilience.

Special Olympics Chief Executive Officer David Evangelista thanked the Maltese Government for hosting the first international event of its kind and for its continued commitment to promoting inclusion.

#MaltaDaily