Para-swimmers Madeira bound for European Open Championships

19 Apr 2024

A team of 15 British athletes have landed in Funchal, Portugal, to compete in the Madeira 2024 Para Swimming European Open Championships.

Madeira Island is hosting the European Open Championships for the third time in the competitions history – with both previous editions (2016 and 2021) having also preceding a Paralympic Games later in the calendar year.

Open to athletes from non-European countries, seven days of competition action run across 21-27 April 2024 - with both European and open medals to be awarded on the podium at the Olympic Pools Complex in Funchal.

Of the British team, Maisie Summers-Newton and Grace Harvey are the only two to have previously attended a European Championships and will be targeting their first continental medals since attending the 2018 edition of the competition in Dublin.

Maisie Summers-Newton Grace Harvey thumbs up Madeira 2022
Maisie Summers-Newton and Grace Harvey at the Madeira 2022 World Championships

Ellie Challis and Eliza Humphrey meanwhile return to a pool they have fond memories from, with Madeira the site of Challis first world title (SB2 50m Breaststroke) and Humphrey’s international debut at the 2022 world championships.

Meanwhile, having equalled the Men’s S14 world record on the final night of the Speedo Aquatics GB Swimming Championships in London, Will Ellard’s event programme begins with the 200m Freestyle on the first day of the championships – with the Manchester 2023 world silver medallist looking to build further experience on the international stage ahead of what is likely to be a busy summer of competition in the pool.

William Ellard Fly London 2024 [Morgan Harlow]
Will Ellard

Ten further British athletes make their international debut at this level, furthering their racing craft in direct competition with athletes in their own classification. In total, athletes on the British team are scheduled to compete in 48 events across programme with heats from 9.30am and finals starting at 5.30pm.

Live streaming is available on the Paralympic Games YouTube, with further event details on the World Para Swimming Website.

The Aquatics GB Para-Swimming team for the Madeira 2024 Para Swimming European Open Championships:

  • Ellie Challis
  • Bruce Dee
  • William Ellard
  • Grace Harvey
  • Amber Haycock
  • Eliza Humphrey
  • Tomas Navarro-Barber
  • Megan Neave
  • Olivia Newman-Baronius
  • Lily Rice
  • Harry Stewart
  • Maisie Summers-Newton
  • Mark Tompsett
  • Callie-Ann Warrington
  • Iona Winnifrith
Eliza Humphrey London 2024 [Morgan Harlow]
Eliza Humphrey