Bjelovar won the organization of the junior European Swimming Championships in 2027: "This is a historic moment... "

The city of Bjelovar has been awarded the organization of the Junior European Swimming Championships for 2027, marking a historic moment for Croatian sports. This decision was announced just before the start of the senior European Swimming Championships in France. The executive board of European Aquatics, the governing body for aquatic sports in Europe, granted Croatia, specifically the city of Bjelovar, the right to host one of the continent’s most significant swimming competitions for young athletes. The decision followed the presentation of Bjelovar's bid, which was delivered by Mayor Dario Hrebak with support from Dr. Josip Varvodić, president of the Croatian Olympic Committee and the Croatian Swimming Federation. This assignment confirms Croatia’s ability to organize major international sporting events and further establishes Bjelovar as a growing hub for large-scale sports gatherings. It marks the largest-ever aquatic sports competition in the city’s history, made possible only after substantial investment in infrastructure, particularly the construction of the local swimming complex. The championship will take place at Wellovar, a modern aquatic complex designed to welcome hundreds of top young swimmers from across Europe, along with their coaches, officials, and numerous guests. The event is expected to bring significant economic and tourism benefits while promoting Bjelovar as a city of sport. According to Dr. Josip Varvodić, this achievement represents a major recognition of Croatian sports. He emphasized that the project, prepared jointly by Bjelovar, the Croatian Swimming Federation, and all partners, reflects the quality of collaboration and preparation. He expressed confidence that Bjelovar would host the championships at the highest European level and serve as an excellent venue for the continent’s best young swimmers. Mayor Dario Hrebak did not hide his satisfaction following the announcement. He described the moment as historic for Bjelovar, highlighting the trust placed in the city by European Aquatics. He noted that the Wellovar complex was built not only for the benefit of its citizens but also with the vision of bringing major international sporting events to the city. The championship is expected to attract thousands of visitors, provide international exposure, create new economic opportunities, and confirm Bjelovar’s capability to host high-level European events. He thanked the Croatian Swimming Federation, the Croatian Olympic Committee, and all participants in preparing the bid, emphasizing that the work to organize the championship has already begun. The awarding of hosting rights caps years of effort by the City of Bjelovar and the Croatian Swimming Federation to ensure that one of Croatia’s most modern aquatic complexes receives the opportunity to host a major international competition. The European Junior Swimming Championships gather the finest young swimmers from across Europe, offering both athletic significance and considerable economic benefits through increased accommodation, visitor numbers, and international promotion of the city. This decision by European Aquatics confirms that Bjelovar has become recognized not only for its investments in sports infrastructure but also as a city capable of organizing major international sporting events. Extensive organizational preparations will follow over the coming years leading up to the summer of 2027. One thing is clear now, European swimming elite will soon arrive in Bjelovar. Wellovar, the aquatic complex in Bjelovar, is nearing completion. It is a vast water sports park featuring ten pools, including an Olympic-sized pool, wellness and spa centers, six terraces, conference halls, restaurants, 384 covered parking spaces, electric charging stations for cars, motorcycles, and bicycles. A unique feature of the entire project is underfloor heating throughout the area around the pools, a rarity in Croatia. The greatest distinction of the facility is that all necessary energy will come from two geothermal plants.