World Para Swimming EuropeanChampionships Kocaeli 2026Media Guide

Table of Contents

Dear members of the media

On behalf of the Turkish National Paralympic Committee and the Kocaeli 2026 Local Organising Committee, I warmly welcome all media representatives arriving in Turkiye and Kocaeli for the World Para Swimming European Championships Kocaeli 2026.

Turkiye is hosting the World Para Swimming European Championships for the first time. Welcoming Europe’s leading Para swimmers to Gebze from 7 to 12 September 2026 is a major milestone for our country and our Paralympic movement.

Following the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games and on the road to Los Angeles 2028, Kocaeli 2026 will be more than an elite sporting event; it will be a powerful gathering of athletes, stories and cultures from across Europe.

We greatly value the role of the media at these Championships. You will bring the athletes’ performances, the competition, the human stories and the transformative power of Para sport to audiences in Turkiye and around the world.

Throughout the event, we aim to make every process as smooth as possible so you can work in the best possible conditions, including access, media areas, information flow and operational support. This media guide brings together the essential information you may need during the Championships in one place.

We believe Kocaeli 2026 will be remembered not only for its results, but also for the athletes’ stories, international solidarity and the impact of Paralympic sport on society.

We look forward to telling the story of these historic Championships together. Welcome to Kocaeli and Turkiye.

Murat Aksu
President, Turkish National Paralympic Committee

Dear media representative,

World Para Swimming is delighted to welcome you to the Kocaeli 2026 World Para Swimming European Championships. This marks the first time the Para Swimming European Championships is held in Turkiye.

Kocaeli 2026 is the main European event for Para swimming this year and an important milestone on the athletes’ journey towards the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games.

The European Championships have long been a stage for emerging athletes who later become Paralympic medallists. We are sure this will again be the case in Kocaeli, where you will witness and report on outstanding performances from established Paralympians and rising talents alike.

We look forward to sharing the successes and celebrating the stories of the athletes competing here. Just as importantly, their achievements will leave a lasting legacy in Turkiye, showcasing the power of Para swimming and inspiring the next generation of Para swimmers across Europe.

This can only happen with the invaluable support of the media, whose coverage and storytelling help us reach audiences all over Turkiye and throughout Europe.

This Media Guide provides key information about the competition, the stars to watch, and the media facilities available at the venue.

If you need any assistance, please do not hesitate to contact the Local Organising Committee or the World Para Swimming Media Teams.

All the best and enjoy the European Championships.

Schedule

MEDIA CENTRE

Media centre opening hours during the Championships are listed below.

Key contacts

Kocaeli 2026

Official name

World Para Swimming European Championships Kocaeli 2026

Venue

Gebze Olympic Swimming Pool
Güzeller District, Şehit Mevlüt Duru Avenue No. 4, Gebze, Kocaeli, Turkiye

Organising model

Held under World Para Swimming governance and hosted by the Turkish National Paralympic Committee and the Local Organising Committee. Competition is governed by WPS Rules and Regulations and IPC policies and codes.

Official Championships links

Current documents and announcements for the World Para Swimming European Championships Kocaeli 2026 are published on the official event page.

Rules and classification

Classification system to ensure fair competition. Classes are based on how impairment affects the athletes' swimming performance rather than simply on impairment type.

S · Freestyle / Backstroke / Butterfly SB · Breaststroke SM · Individual Medley

Kocaeli classification schedule

Competitions schedule

Source: 2026_08_12_Kocaeli 2026 Minute by Minute v2 (1). Times may be updated in line with operational requirements.

World Para Swimming European Championships Kocaeli 2026 Programme
Kocaeli - 7-12 September 2026
Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6
1 Men's 400m Freestyle S8 30 Men's 100m Backstroke S1 57 Men's 400m Freestyle S11 84 Women's 100m Backstroke S13 111 Women's 100m Breaststroke SB5 141 Women's 100m Backstroke S11
2 Women's 400m Freestyle S8 31 Men's 100m Backstroke S2 58 Women's 400m Freestyle S11 85 Mens 100m Backstroke S13 112 Men's 100m Breaststroke SB5 142 Men's 100m Backstroke S11
3 Men's 100m Breaststroke SB9 32 Women's 100m Backstroke S2 59 Men's 100m Freestyle S3 86 Women's 200m Individual Medley SM11 113 Men's 200m Freestyle S2 143 Women's 200m Individual Medley SM8
4 Women's 100m Breaststroke SB9 33 Men's 100m Freestyle S4 60 Women's 100m Freestyle S3 87 Men's 200m Individual Medley SM11 114 Women's 400m Freestyle S9 144 Men's 200m Individual Medley SM8
5 Men's 50m Breaststroke SB2 34 Women's 100m Freestyle S4 61 Men's 100m Breaststroke SB7 88 Women's 100m Freestyle S8 115 Men's 400m Freestyle S9 145 Women's 50m Backstroke S2
6 Women's 50m Breaststroke SB2 35 Men's 400 m Freestyle S7 62 Women's 100m Breaststroke SB7 89 Men's 100m Freestyle S8 116 Women's 100m Backstroke S10 146 Men's 50m Backstroke S2
7 Men's 50m Freestyle S5 36 Women's 400m Freestyle S7 63 Men's 100m Freestyle S13 90 Women's 400m Freestyle S6 117 Men's 100m Backstroke S10 147 Women's 100m Freestyle S12
8 Women's 50m Freestyle S5 37 Mens 100m Freestyle S6 64 Women's 100m Freestyle S13 91 Men's 400 m Freestyle S6 118 Women's 200m Individual Medley SM13 148 Men's 100m Freestyle S12
9 Men's 100m Butterfly S13 38 Women's 100m Freestyle S6 65 Men's 150m Individual Medley SM4 92 Women's 100m Breaststroke SB12 119 Men's 200m Individual Medley SM13 149 Women's 50m Freestyle S7
10 Women's 100m Butterfly S13 39 Men's 150m Individual Medley SM3 66 Women's 150m Individual Medley SM4 93 Men's 100m Breaststroke SB12 120 Women's 200m Individual Medley SM14 150 Men's 50m Freestyle S7
11 Men's 100m Backstroke S6 40 Men's 50m Backstroke S5 67 Men's 50m Freestyle S12 94 Men's 50m Backstroke S1 121 Men's 200m Individual Medley SM14 151 Women's 400m Freestyle S13
12 Women's 100m Backstroke S6 41 Women's 50m Backstroke S5 68 Women's 50m Freestyle S12 95 Women's 50m Backstroke S3 122 Women's 50m Freestyle S8 152 Men's 400m Freestyle S13
13 Men' s 200m Freestyle S14 42 Men's 200m Individual Medley SM10 69 Men's 50m Butterfly S5 96 Men's 50m Backstroke S3 123 Men's 50m Freestyle S8 153 Women's 200m Freestyle S5
14 Women's 200m Freestyle S14 43 Women's 200m Individual Medley SM10 70 Women's 50m Butterfly S5 97 Women's 50m Backstroke S4 124 Women's 100m Freestyle S7 154 Men's 200m Freestyle S5
15 Men's 200m Individual Medley SM7 44 Men's 100m Backstroke S8 71 Men's 200m Individual Medley SM6 98 Men's 50m Backstroke S4 125 Men's 100m Freestyle S7 155 Women's 100m Backstroke S9
16 Women's 200m Individual Medley SM7 45 Women's 100m Backstroke S8 72 Women's 200m Individual Medley SM6 99 Women's 100m Butterfly S10 126 Women's 50m Freestyle S6 156 Men's 100m Backstroke S9
17 Men's 50m Freestyle S11 46 Men's 100m Butterfly S11 73 Men's 100m Butterfly S9 100 Men's 100m Butterfly S10 127 Men's 50m Freestyle S6 157 Men's 200m Freestyle S4
18 Women's 50m Freestyle S11 47 Mens's 100m Butterfly S12 74 Womens's 100m Butterfly S9 101 Women's 200m Individual Medley SM5 128 Women's 100m Freestyle S5 158 Men's 200m Freestyle S3
19 Men's 50m Breaststroke SB3 48 Men's 50m Butterfly S7 75 Men's 400 m Freestyle S10 102 Men's 200m Individual Medley SM5 129 Men's 100m Freestyle S5 159 Women's 100m Freestyle S10
20 Women's 50m Breaststroke SB3 49 Women's 50m Butterfly S7 76 Women's 400m Freestyle S10 103 Women's 100m Backstroke S7 130 Women's 50m Freestyle S3 160 Men's 100m Freestyle S10
21 Men's 100m Backstroke S12 50 Mens 100m Backstroke S14 77 Men's 100m Breaststroke SB11 104 Mens 100m Backstroke S7 131 Men's 50m Freestyle S3 161 Women's 100m Breaststroke SB6
22 Women's 100m Backstroke S12 51 Women's 100m Backstroke S14 78 Women's 100m Breaststroke SB11 105 Women's 50m Butterfly S6 132 Women's 100m Freestyle S11 162 Men's 100m Breaststroke SB6
23 Men's 100m Breaststroke SB4 52 Men's 100m Breaststroke SB13 79 Men's 100m Breaststroke SB14 106 Men's 50m Butterfly S6 133 Men's 100m Freestyle S11 163 Women's 100m Butterfly S14
24 Women's 100m Breaststroke SB4 53 Women's 100m Breaststroke SB13 80 Women's 100m Breaststroke SB14 107 Women's 100m Freestyle S9 134 Women's 100m Breaststroke SB8 164 Men's 100m Butterfly S14
25 Men's 50m Freestyle S9 54 Men's 200m Individual Medley SM9 81 Men's 100m Butterfly S8 108 Men's 100m Freestyle S9 135 Men's 100m Breaststroke SB8 165 Mixed 4x100m Medley 49pts
26 Women's 50m Freestyle S9 55 Women's 200m Individual Medley SM9 82 Women's 100m Butterfly S8 109 Mixed 4x100m Freestyle 49pts 136 Women's 50m Freestyle S4 150 Men's 50m Freestyle S7
27 Men's 50m Freestyle S10 56 Mixed 4x50m Freestyle 20pts 83 Mixed 4x50m Medley 20pts 110 Mixed 4x100m Freestyle S14 137 Men's 50m Freestyle S4
28 Women's 50m Freestyle S10 138 Women's 50m Freestyle S13
29 Mixed 4x100m Medley S14 139 Men's 50m Freestyle S13
140 Mixed 4x100m Medley 34pts
* Indicates Direct Final
The Events are single class events
Please note, the final list of events will only be confirmed at the close of entry and are subject to change
Version: 08/05/2026
1

International athletes to watch

Media summaries of the “Kocaeli 2026 Athletes to Watch” selection provided by WPS.

Anastasiya Dmytriv

Spain · S9 · age 16

Known in Spain as “Tasy”, Dmytriv is the reigning Paralympic champion and a three-time world champion in the women’s 100 m breaststroke SB8. She won her first world title at age 13 and added two more as part of Spain’s mixed 4×100 m medley 34-point relay team. Following her European Championships debut at Madeira 2024, she aims to defend her title in Kocaeli.

Kocaeli 2026: 50 m freestyle S9, 100 m freestyle S9, 100 m breaststroke SB9, 100 m butterfly S9, 200 m individual medley SM9.

European Championships: 1 appearance · Madeira 2024.

Medals: Paris 2024: 1 gold and 2 bronze; World Championships: 5 gold, 2 silver and 1 bronze in the source breakdown; Madeira 2024: 1 European gold and 1 bronze.

Liesette Bruinsma

Netherlands · S11 · turns 26 on 9 September

Three-time Paralympic champion Bruinsma made her international breakthrough at the Funchal 2016 European Championships with three golds, one silver and one bronze; four months later she became a Paralympic champion at Rio 2016. In Kocaeli, she will defend the women’s 100 m freestyle S11 European title.

Kocaeli 2026: 50 m freestyle S11, 100 m freestyle S11, 200 m individual medley SM11.

European Championships: Funchal 2016, Dublin 2018, Madeira 2024.

Medals: 9 Paralympic medals (3 gold, 4 silver, 2 bronze); 15 World medals (6 gold, 6 silver, 3 bronze); 14 European medals as listed in the source.

International athletes to watch

Nora Meister

Switzerland · S6 · age 23

Meister made her international debut at age 13 at Funchal 2016. At Dublin 2018, she won Switzerland’s first European Championships gold medals; she arrives in Kocaeli as the Madeira 2024 champion in the 50 m, 100 m and 400 m freestyle S6.

Kocaeli 2026: 50 m, 100 m and 400 m freestyle S6; 100 m backstroke S6.

European Championships: Funchal 2016, Dublin 2018, Madeira 2020, Madeira 2024.

Medals: 2 Paralympic medals (1 silver, 1 bronze); 9 World medals (2 silver, 7 bronze); 10 European medals (7 gold, 3 silver).

David Kratochvil

Czechia · S11 · age 18

Kocaeli will be Kratochvil’s third European Championships. A newcomer at his first appearance in Madeira, he is now a Paralympic champion, a five-time world champion and the third athlete from his country to be nominated for the Laureus World Sports Awards. He won five gold medals at the 2025 Istanbul European Para Youth Games.

Kocaeli 2026: 50 m, 100 m and 400 m freestyle S11; 100 m backstroke S11; 100 m butterfly S11; 200 m individual medley SM11.

European Championships: Madeira 2020, Madeira 2024.

Medals: Paris 2024: 1 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze; 8 World medals (5 gold, 1 silver, 2 bronze); Madeira 2024: 5 European medals (1 gold, 3 silver, 1 bronze).

International athletes to watch

Simone Barlaam

Italy · S9 · age 26

Barlaam won four golds and one silver at Dublin 2018, helping Italy top the European medal table for the first time. The four-time Paralympic champion was among the nominees for the 2026 Laureus World Sports Awards.

Kocaeli 2026: 50 m, 100 m and 400 m freestyle S9; 100 m backstroke S9; 100 m butterfly S9; 200 m individual medley SM9.

European Championships: Dublin 2018, Madeira 2020, Madeira 2024.

Medals: 8 Paralympic medals (4 gold, 3 silver, 1 bronze); 26 World medals (23 gold, 2 silver, 1 bronze); 15 European medals (12 gold, 2 silver, 1 bronze).

William Ellard

Great Britain · S14

Two-time Paralympic champion Ellard arrives in Turkiye with the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games title in the men’s 200 m freestyle S14. He is the reigning Paralympic champion in the same event and also holds Paralympic gold in the mixed 4×100 m freestyle S14 relay. In Kocaeli, he will defend his European titles in the 200 m freestyle and 100 m butterfly S14.

Kocaeli 2026: 200 m freestyle S14, 100 m backstroke S14, 100 m butterfly S14, 200 m individual medley SM14.

European Championships: 1 appearance · Madeira 2024.

Medals: Paris 2024: 2 gold and 1 silver; 8 World medals (5 gold, 2 silver, 1 bronze); 4 European medals (2 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze) as listed in the source.

Turkish athletes to watch

Six athletes from Turkiye to watch at Kocaeli 2026.

Umut Ünlü

Turkiye · S3 / SB2 / SM3

An S3 swimmer who became a two-time Paralympic champion by winning the 50 m and 200 m freestyle S3 at Paris 2024.

Kocaeli 2026: 50 m breaststroke SB2, 150 m individual medley SM3, 50 m–100 m–200 m freestyle S3 and 50 m backstroke S3.

European Championships: Bronze medals in the 150 m individual medley SM3 and 200 m freestyle S3 at Madeira 2024.

Medals: 2 Paralympic gold medals at Paris 2024; 2 European bronze medals at Madeira 2024.

Sevilay Öztürk

Turkiye · S5 / SB6 / SM5

A two-time Paralympic medallist who has competed at Paralympic level since Rio 2016 and is the reigning European champion in the 50 m butterfly S5.

Kocaeli 2026: 50 m–100 m freestyle S5, 50 m backstroke S5, 50 m butterfly S5 and 200 m individual medley SM5.

European Championships: Gold in the 50 m butterfly S5, silver in the 50 m backstroke S5 and bronze in the 200 m individual medley SM5 at Madeira 2024.

Medals: Paralympic bronze medals at Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024; World silver in the 50 m backstroke S5 at Singapore 2025.

Turkish athletes to watch

Defne Kurt

Turkiye · S10 / SB9 / SM10

An S10 swimmer who won all five of her events at Singapore 2025, her first major championship, to claim five world titles.

Kocaeli 2026: 50 m–100 m freestyle S10, 100 m backstroke S10, 100 m butterfly S10 and 200 m individual medley SM10.

European Championships: Kocaeli 2026 will be her first European Championships.

Medals: 5 gold medals at the Singapore 2025 World Championships.

Turgut Aslan Yaraman

Turkiye · S8 / SB7 / SM8

A versatile swimmer who won five European medals at Madeira 2024 and World bronze in the 100 m backstroke S8 at Singapore 2025.

Kocaeli 2026: 50 m–100 m freestyle S8, 100 m backstroke S8, 100 m breaststroke SB7 and 200 m individual medley SM8.

European Championships: Reached the podium in five events at Madeira 2024.

Medals: Madeira 2024: 1 gold, 3 silver and 1 bronze; Singapore 2025: 1 World bronze.

Turkish athletes to watch

Elif Ildem

Turkiye · S1

An experienced S1 swimmer who represented Turkiye at the 2017, 2019 and 2022 World Championships and the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.

Kocaeli 2026: 50 m freestyle S3, 100 m freestyle S3, 50 m backstroke S2 and 100 m backstroke S2.

European Championships: Reached four individual finals at Madeira 2024.

Medals: No medal is recorded in the official major Championships archive; she has World Championships and Paralympic final appearances.

Meryem Nur Tunuğ

Turkiye · S5 / SB5 / SM5

A young S5 swimmer with experience at the Madeira 2022 World Championships and the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.

Kocaeli 2026: 50 m butterfly S5, 200 m freestyle S5, 100 m breaststroke SB5 and 200 m individual medley SM5.

European Championships: Finished sixth in the 200 m individual medley SM5 final at Madeira 2024.

Medals: No medal is recorded in the official major Championships archive; she has World Championships, European Championships and Paralympic experience.

Kocaeli & Gebze

Kocaeli is a gateway between Europe and Asia on the coast of the Sea of Marmara. Its ancient Nicomedia heritage combines with a strong maritime, industrial and technology identity. Gebze is close to Istanbul’s Asian side and the region’s main transport networks.

Media accommodation

Under the hosting agreement, access to reasonably priced accommodation options is facilitated for accredited media; booking and payment are the responsibility of each media representative. Media accommodation must be separate from NPC delegations and the Championships Hotel.

Healthcare

Gebze Fatih State Hospital is approximately 3 km from the venue; VM Medical Park Gebze Hospital is approximately 350 m away. The nationwide emergency number in Turkiye is 112.

Hotels in and around Gebze

The properties listed in the LOC’s July 2026 accommodation guide form a reference inventory to support media planning for location and accessibility.

Transport

The routes below are public transport references for media travelling independently. Shuttle service, pick-up availability, lift availability and accessible interchange status should be confirmed on the day of travel.

Venue mapOpens the location of Gebze Olympic Swimming Pool in Google Maps.

Photography and Media Facilities

Accredited media may cover the Championships from designated media areas. The LOC Media Department will also provide daily photographs and videos through the shared Google Drive folder.

Media Centre

• Workspace with power and wireless internet connectivity, plus a small number of shared cables for photographers.
• TV screens showing the competition.
• Lockers and complimentary refreshments.
• A help desk staffed by the Media Operations team.

Media movement plan

Photo Positions

• Positions are available to accredited photographers on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Positions may not be marked or reserved without prior consultation with the Photo Manager.
• Photographers must wear their photo bib at all times in the venue and keep it clearly visible to access Photo Positions and the Mixed Zone.
• Photo bibs are issued at accreditation collection after the photographer has signed and returned the photographers’ undertaking.
• Warm-up photography in the competition pool may be permitted before the first race; follow Media Operations instructions.

Photo Bib Colours

Access permissions are identified by bib colour. Bibs must remain clearly visible while working in the venue.

Mixed Zone

• All athletes pass through the Mixed Zone after competition to allow media interview opportunities.
• The interview priority order is TRT and World Para Swimming first, followed by non-rights-holding media.
• The Media Operations team manages the Mixed Zone; team press attachés support athlete movement and facilitate interviews for non-rights holders.
• Non-rights holders may film interviews in the Media Mixed Zone.
• Accredited non-rights-holding broadcasters must agree to the News Access Rules (NAR) and return a signed undertaking to the Media Operations team.

Accreditation Desk

The Accreditation Desk is located in the central LOC area opposite the main entrance on the Ground Floor Competition Days plan.