From May 22 to 24, 2026, PK SPID hosted the 7th edition of the International Para Swimming Competition “Sarajevo Open 2026,” organized under the umbrella of our ParaSwInclusion project.
This year’s event gathered 110 athletes from 17 clubs across 7 countries: Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Croatia, Slovenia, Serbia, and Germany, further cementing the Sarajevo Open’s status as a premier regional para swimming event and a vital platform for inclusive sports.
The Sarajevo Open 2026 united a diverse community of athletes, coaches, sports experts, and institutions, fostering an environment that honors athletic excellence, collaboration, and inclusion.
The competition welcomed participants of various ages, sporting backgrounds, and competitive levels, all driven by a shared commitment to performance, resilience, and fair play.
A major highlight of this year’s competition was the attendance of elite para swimmers and medalists from prestigious international events, including the European Championships, World Championships, and Paralympic Games. Their participation elevated the competitive standard of the meet and inspired young, up-and-coming athletes.
Aligned with the core principles of the ParaSwInclusion project, the Sarajevo Open continues to champion an innovative, inclusive sports model that highlights athletic achievement, hard work, and core sporting values over physical differences. The event embodies the conviction that sport can dismantle barriers, drive participation, and open doors for meaningful social inclusion.
Alongside individual races and podium ceremonies, the event featured team rankings to honor the collective effort and dedication of the participating clubs and national teams. The trophies for the top three teams were awarded to:
- 🥇 1st Place – PK SPID
- 🥈 2nd Place – Croatian Para Swimming National Team
- 🥉 3rd Place – Para Swimming Club Cipal Split
By uniting athletes from various nations and competitive tiers, the event proved once again that sports can forge spaces where differences are respected, abilities are celebrated, and everyone competes under the same core values.
❝ The successful execution of Sarajevo Open 2026 underscores the rising importance of inclusive sports initiatives in the region, spotlighting sport as a powerful vehicle for equality, empowerment, and international partnership. ❞
This year’s edition also marked a major milestone for the sport domestically. For the first time in Bosnia and Herzegovina, an official national para swimming classification process was conducted during the meet, representing a massive leap forward for the development of para swimming in the country.
The classification was led by Silva Žabo, a renowned international classifier accredited by World Para Swimming (WPS). Her expertise and dedication made this historic milestone possible, strengthening national para swimming structures and athlete support frameworks.
Sarajevo Open 2026 serves as a powerful example of how inclusive sporting events can champion not just athletic success, but also solidarity, community spirit, and a broader social impact.
In sport, we are all equal — we all swim in the same pool.
#BRAVO #BRAVOBIH #MAKETHEWORLDWONDER #ERASMUSPLUS
