Protaras is set to welcome over 160 swimmers from across Europe this weekend for a major open water swimming event taking place at the renowned Fig Tree Bay beach.

The European Aquatics Open Water Cup Leg 1 competition will be held on Saturday, May 3, followed by the Protaras International Open Water Marathon on Sunday, May 4. The event is jointly organised by the Municipality of Paralimni–Deryneia, European Aquatics (LEN) and the Cyprus Swimming Federation.

According to the organisers, competitors from 16 countries – including world champions – will take to the waters of Fig Tree Bay for the first time this year.

Athletes from countries such as Slovenia, Hungary, Poland, Israel, Monaco, France, Croatia, the Netherlands, the UK, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Belgium, Bulgaria, Italy, Greece and Cyprus will compete in the ten kilometre race.

Among those representing Cyprus are Yiannis Ergatudis and Andreas Gavril, both aiming to deliver strong performances.

The event is included in LEN’s official calendar and is one of five races in the European Open Water Cup series, with the remaining legs set to take place in Setúbal, Paris, Barcelona, and Razanac.

Underscoring the competition’s significance, LEN President Antonio Silva, Secretary Noam Zwi, and members of LEN’s technical committees will be in attendance and overseeing the event.

The race for men will begin at 8am on Saturday, followed by the women’s race 15 minutes later.

A total of 90 athletes and 100 officials and support staff are expected to take part in the two-day event, which the municipality says also serves as a platform to promote local culture and natural beauty and to strengthen Protaras’s appeal as a sports tourism destination.

The official opening ceremony will be held on Friday, May 2, at 7pm. The event will include a team presentation and a cultural showcase with traditional music and dance.

Due to the races, swimming will not be permitted at Fig Tree Bay from 6am Saturday until approximately 11am Sunday.

Access to parts of the beach walkway may also be restricted for short periods, and much of the main Fig Tree Bay parking area will be closed from Thursday, May 1, through Sunday, May 4.