Wasick’s 50m Freestyle unbeaten run continues

Poland’s Kasia Wasick collected yet another win in the 50m Freestyle, having not lost a race in short course meters since December 2022 or a race in the World Cup since 2024. On Thursday night, she swam to 23.63, just holding off Canada’s Taylor Ruck (23.68).
 
“It's not easy when you're 18. It's not easy when you're 20. It's definitely not easy when you're 34,” Wasick said. “So, I am very happy and proud that I can represent my country for so many races and for so many years.
 
“I just focus on the details, and I have the best group here, my coach, my physio and everyone that supports me."
 
Evgeniia Chikunova of Russia swam to 2:17.23 in winning the 200m Breaststroke for her second straight win in the series as a lot of Russian supporters were on hand to cheer her on.
 
“So loud,” she said. Last week, she was 0.03 faster, and will go for a third straight win next week in Kazakhstan. She won comfortably tonight over Tes Schouten (2:20.07).
 
China’s Chen Juner also collected his second straight win in the 100m butterfly, just off his best time to go 49.75 tonight.
 
Americans Anna Peplowski (4:00.25) and Carson Foster (3:37.39) also collected wins in the 400m Freestyle to open the competition.

 

Barr impresses again to claim men’s top spot

 

The men’s overall race is currently held by American Luke Barr, who swam to a 51.05 to win the 100m IM on Thursday night. That swim puts him tied for 16th all-time as he took down two World champions Shaine Casas (51.59) and Finlay Knox (51.65).
 
Barr, who holds a full-time day job in Dallas, has made a huge step in his career since graduating from Indiana University, and has taken a new approach to swimming that has helped him balance his life.
 
“It's definitely a great feeling (winning), I try not to think about it too much,” Barr said. “Trying to still keep swimming it's, like, a fun thing I do on the side, rather than (the) main thing that I'm doing. Otherwise, it'll put too much pressure…So, I'm just enjoying it as it goes."
 
It was the second final of the day for Barr, who was second in the 100m Breaststroke at 56.42 to Russia’s Kirill Prigoda at 55.98.
 
“I was just trying to change my mentality after the 100 Breaststroke,” Barr said. “Forget, good and bad of what happened, and just get straight into that 100 IM and see if I can do the repeat.”
 
Prigoda dominated the 100m Breaststroke field that included three representatives of the all-time top ten and current and former world records. Caspar Corbeau, who was the first man to break 2:00 last year in the 200m, finished third at 56.50 while former long-course world record holder Qin Haiyang was fourth at 56.85.
 
Barr currently has 93.7 overall points through four racing days at this World Cup, holding a firm lead over South Africa’s World champ Pieter Coetze, who won the 200m Backstroke today at 1:49.32. Coetze is coming off a successful summer where he swept the Backstroke finals at the Commonwealth Games and neared the long-course world record in the 100m Backstroke.
 
Coetze’s time today was three tenths faster than what he did to win last week.
 
“I looked at the video, saw what I could improve,” Coetze said. “I think my strategy was a bit different this week. Went out a bit more conservative. So I'm just trying different things and hopefully over the next few weeks and months I can drop a lot from that time.
 
“I tried to focus on holding my stroke rate into the walls because I tend to slow down a little bit as I get to the walls.”

Steenbergen continues her sparkling form

 

Marrit Steenbergen of the Netherlands scored two wins on Thursday with a new European record in the 100m Individual Medley (IM) at 56.18, as well as a win in the 50m Backstroke at 25.70.

Steenbergen’s 56.18 lowered her continental mark she set last year at 56.26 to remain second on the all-time list. 

“I wasn't expecting to be doing a PB here so I'm really happy with that and a European record as well," Steenbergen said.

She kept rival Roos Vanotterdijk at bay the entire race, out-splitting her on the Breaststroke and Freestyle to win the event for the second straight week. Steenbergen is currently the early leader for the overall World Cup crown, by virtue of her four gold medals last week and her two today. She currently holds a 9-point lead over Vanotterdijk as we are nearing the halfway mark of the tour.

Vanotterdijk was second in both races to Steenbergen, swimming 56.68 in the 100m IM for a new best time, and 26.31 in the 50m Backstroke.

China’s Yu Yiting was third in that 100m IM at 57.57 after also claiming an impressive win in the 200m butterfly at 2:02.75. That swim put her just outside the all-time top ten in 11th. Yu, who raced to five golds and two silvers at the Asian Games a few weeks ago, sits third in the overall World Cup standings, just over a half point behind Vanotterdijk.

Cameron McEvoy inches closer to 50m freestyle world record to open Swimming World Cup in Tashkent

 

Cameron McEvoy and Marrit Steenbergen sit second all-time in their respective events after Thursday’s starter to the World Aquatics Swimming World Cup in Tashkent

The Swimming World Cup 2026 Silk Road Tour continued on Thursday evening in Uzbekistan with some of the world’s best putting on a scintillating show for the crowd at the Palace of Water Sports within Tashkent's Olympic City complex.

Australia’s Cameron McEvoy, who has transformed and put intention to action on how to best train for the 50m Freestyle, nearly became the second man to break 20 seconds in the final of the 50m Freestyle. McEvoy swam 20.13 to set the World Cup record, lowering the mark he set last week in Baku at 20.22. The swim puts McEvoy second on the all-time list, and helps him close in on the 19.90 that Jordan Crooks set in 2024.

McEvoy, age 32, has committed to a sprint specific training regime that has seen him only achieve a 3km/week volume set in a given training week, allowing him to unlock the potential of the 50m Freestyle. Since committing to becoming a straight 50m Freestyler where his earlier career saw him as a 100/200m Freestyler, McEvoy has won the Olympic gold and two World titles in the long course pool. It was only this month that he executed a flip turn in the short course venue for the first time in five years.

As for whether the 19.9 was on the table for next week in Kazakhstan, McEvoy wasn’t so sure.

"I need to look at my analysis,” McEvoy said. “My swim speed, beautiful. Skills? Not so much. So I think the more I, I guess, get experience at 20.1, 20.2 speed, the more I'll learn the turn. Then hopefully, hopefully I can find something like 0.14 and go 19.99 or something like that. That would be incredible. So… if not now, I'll try it in Beijing."

McEvoy finished well ahead of Russia’s Egor Kornev (20.61) in second, who tied the 100m Freestyle world record last week and has emerged as McEvoy’s biggest challenger.

“Yeah, the bar is high,” McEvoy said of racing Kornev. “You have to get the second best ever in the 50m free to win, or you have to beat the world record holder in the 100m to win. It's pretty crazy.  So I didn't pick the easy events to get a point score at these World Cups, but I think it's very good entertainment for the swim community.”

World Para Swimming Championships to return to Mexico in 2027

 

Guadalajara to host the competition from 25 July to 1 August as the Championships return to the Americas for the fourth time

The World Para Swimming Championships will return to Mexico for the first time in a decade, with Guadalajara hosting the competition for the first time from 25 July to 1 August 2027. The competition will be held at the Centro Acuatico CODE Metropolitano, a venue that has hosted the Para Swimming World Series in the country since 2023.

The World Para Swimming Championships Mexico 2027 will be the 13th edition of the competition and the fourth to take place in the Americas, after Mar del Plata 2002, Montreal 2013 and Mexico City 2017.

This will be the biggest Para swimming event on the road to the LA28 Paralympic Games, with more than 600 athletes from over 70 nations expected to compete in 175 medal events.

“The World Para Swimming Championships will return to Mexico next year and we are delighted to share this news with our community,” Craig Nicholson, Head of World Para Swimming, said. “With LA28 in sight, this will be a great opportunity for athletes and teams to compete in a time zone similar to what they will experience at the Paralympic Games. This also means that the World Championships will be hosted across three different continents within five years, and that is fantastic for reaching different audiences, who will have the opportunity to watch the athletes competing for medals at the two most important events in Para swimming.

“Another aspect we want to highlight is that, as was the case in Singapore 2025, we are once again taking the World Championships to a venue that has previously hosted the World Series. Not only have the facilities been tested and approved to stage major Para swimming competitions, but we also have a Local Organising Committee that is familiar with the sport and with whom we have worked closely for several years.”

In a statement, the National Paralympic Committee of Mexico (NPC Mexico), said:

“Mexico’s designation, and that of the city of Guadalajara, as the host of the 2027 World Para Swimming Championships is a source of immense pride for our Paralympic Movement, but it also represents a great responsibility. Welcoming more than 600 athletes from over 70 countries means opening Mexico’s doors to the world and demonstrating, once again, our ability to organise international sporting events of the highest calibre. Guadalajara has become a key destination for the development of Para Swimming, and now it will have the opportunity to welcome the great figures of this sport to a World Championships that will be part of a decisive moment in the Paralympic cycle on the road to the LA28 Paralympic Games.

“At NPC Mexico, we embrace this challenge with responsibility and with a very clear vision: to deliver a World Championships that leaves a lasting legacy for Mexico and for the international Para sport movement. This achievement does not belong to one person or one institution. It is the result of teamwork, the joining of efforts, and the commitment of all those people and institutions who have believed in our country’s ability to host major international Para sporting events. Welcome to Mexico. Welcome to Guadalajara. See you in 2027.”

Hosts and editions of the World Para Swimming Championships:

•Malta 1994

•Christchurch 1998

•Mar del Plata 2002

•Durban 2006

•Eindhoven 2010

•Montreal 2013

•Glasgow 2015

•Mexico City 2017

•London 2019

•Madeira 2022

•Manchester 2023

•Singapore 2025

Francismar Siviero Represents Brazil in International Open Water Challenges and Reinforces Environmental Awareness Message

 

70-year-old swimmer and environmental advocate competes in Italy and France promoting health, longevity, and water resource conservation

Open water swimmer and environmental advocate Francismar Siviero, 70, has completed an important series of international open water swimming events held between May and June 2026 in Italy and France. As coordinator of the Swimming Through Postcards Project (Nadando Pelos Cartões Postais), Siviero transformed each sporting challenge into a platform to promote environmental awareness, encourage physical activity, and highlight the importance of active aging.

His international journey began on May 23 at the OCEANMAN Cattolica Emilia-Romagna 2026, held in Cattolica, on Italy’s Adriatic Riviera. The event brought together athletes from around the world as part of one of the leading global open water swimming circuits, providing an ideal setting to reinforce the importance of protecting oceans and aquatic ecosystems.

The second stage took place on May 31 in Sestri Levante, Italy, during the traditional race held in the famous Bay of Silence (Baia del Silenzio). Renowned for its crystal-clear waters and breathtaking scenery, the location symbolizes the urgent need to preserve coastal and marine environments—an issue that has been central to Siviero’s work throughout his career.

Concluding his international schedule, Siviero competed on June 7 in the prestigious La Défi de Monte-Cristo in Marseille, France. Considered one of Europe’s most iconic open water swimming events, the race starts near the historic Château d’If and annually attracts athletes from various countries to a course that demands endurance, technical preparation, and determination.

Beyond sporting achievements, Francismar Siviero uses his open water crossings to promote discussions about sustainability and quality of life. His story of perseverance gained even greater significance after overcoming a complex heart surgery, becoming a powerful example of how physical activity can contribute to health and well-being at every stage of life.

“Every crossing is an opportunity to show that sport can transform lives. I want to inspire people, especially older adults, to remain active while also reflecting on the importance of protecting our waters,” says Siviero.

Created more than a decade ago, the Swimming Through Postcards Project develops educational, cultural, and environmental initiatives focused on preserving water resources and aquatic ecosystems. The project includes lectures, workshops, awareness campaigns, beach cleanups, and community engagement activities throughout Brazil.

Having participated in sporting events in France, Italy, Portugal, Uruguay, and several Brazilian states, Francismar Siviero has established himself as an ambassador for environmental awareness through sport, proudly carrying the Brazilian flag to major international venues.

“Every crossing is much more than a race. It is a declaration of respect for nature, a celebration of life, and an invitation for everyone to reflect on the future of our waters,” the swimmer emphasizes.

About Francismar Siviero

An open water swimmer, environmental advocate, and speaker, Francismar Siviero is the founder and coordinator of the Swimming Through Postcards Project (Nadando Pelos Cartões Postais). His work combines sport, environmental education, and health promotion, encouraging the preservation of natural resources and the practice of physical activity as tools for social transformation.

Social Media and Digital Presence

• Instagram: @francisswim
• Facebook: facebook.com/francisswimnatacao
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• Official Website: www.francisswim.com.br

Défi de Monte-Cristo 2026 : Sur les traces d'Edmond Dantès dans une expérience inoubliable en Méditerranée

 

Le Défi de Monte-Cristo 2026, considéré comme la plus grande rencontre de natation en eaux libres d'Europe, promet une nouvelle édition historique du 5 au 7 juin 2026, dans la charmante ville de Marseille, en France. Inspiré par l'évasion légendaire d'Edmond Dantès, personnage du classique Le Comte de Monte-Cristo, l'événement réunit des milliers de nageurs pour une aventure de dépassement de soi, de courage et de passion pour les eaux ouvertes.

Un défi pour tous les niveaux

Avec des parcours variant de 1 km à 6 km, l'événement est ouvert aux débutants comme aux athlètes expérimentés. Le point culminant est la traditionnelle course de 5 km, qui commence au célèbre Château d’If, un lieu qui a inspiré l'œuvre d'Alexandre Dumas et l'une des cartes postales les plus célèbres de la région.

Les départs auront lieu sur la plage de Prado Nord, offrant aux participants une expérience unique au milieu des eaux cristallines de la Méditerranée et des paysages à couper le souffle du sud de la France.

Sport, durabilité et conscience environnementale

Au-delà de l'excitation des épreuves, le Défi de Monte-Cristo renforce son engagement en faveur de la préservation de l'environnement. L'infrastructure de l'événement utilisera des matériaux durables, de l'énergie solaire et des récompenses fabriquées à partir de déchets plastiques collectés dans la mer, en partenariat avec des initiatives consacrées à la protection de la Méditerranée.

Cette alliance entre sport et responsabilité environnementale renforce le message selon lequel la natation en eaux libres peut également être un outil de sensibilisation et de transformation.

Une aventure humaine extraordinaire

Plus qu'une compétition, le Défi de Monte-Cristo est un rassemblement d'histoires inspirantes. Chaque année, plus de 10 000 participants relèvent le défi animés par un esprit de dépassement, d'amitié, de solidarité et d'amour pour la natation.

Parmi les Brésiliens qui suivent et promeuvent de grandes traversées internationales, on retrouve le nageur master de 70 ans Francismar Siviero, coordinateur du Projet Nadando Pelos Cartões Postais. Ce projet vise à promouvoir la natation en eaux libres dans des lieux emblématiques à travers le monde, incitant les athlètes de tous âges à explorer de nouvelles destinations, cultures et défis sportifs.

Le parcours de Francismar démontre que la passion pour la natation n’a pas de limite d’âge et que chaque traversée représente une occasion d'inspirer de nouvelles personnes à adopter un mode de vie plus actif, sain et connecté à la nature.

Découvrez le Projet Nadando Pelos Cartões Postais

Pour suivre les aventures, traversées, événements internationaux et contenus exclusifs sur la natation en eaux libres, visitez le site :
www.francisswim.com.br

Vous y trouverez des informations sur des projets, expéditions, récits de courses et initiatives qui encouragent la pratique sportive et la valorisation des plus beaux paysages aquatiques de la planète.