Retro Swimming

Could Poland’s National Stadium become a swimming arena? 🇵🇱🏊‍♂️

An interesting idea has been making the rounds in the Polish media this week.

Could the 2028 European Aquatics Championships come to Poland - with swimming inside Warsaw’s National Stadium?

The story is a little more complicated than it sounds.

Kazan was originally supposed to host the European Championships in 2024, before the event was moved to Belgrade. Russia has since maintained that Kazan should host the 2028 edition, and European Aquatics President António Silva recently confirmed that Russia still has the right to host - although the situation is being reviewed.

Now Polish media are reporting that Poland could emerge as an alternative, with the National Stadium in Warsaw discussed as a possible venue. For now, it is only an early concept - not a confirmed bid or an official venue plan.

And for Polish swimming, it would be a massive opportunity.

Swimming rarely gets this kind of mainstream attention in Poland.

Imagine a 50m competition pool inside the National Stadium, thousands of fans in the stands and Europe’s best swimmers racing in Warsaw shortly before the Los Angeles Olympics.

For now, it’s just an idea.

But swimming at the National Stadium?
I’d definitely like to see that. 🇵🇱🏊‍♂️

🗓 , 1875, Captain Matthew Webb Swam The English Channel 🏊‍♂️ Captain Webb accomplished crossing, in 21 hours and 45 minute 🐸Webb swam breaststroke 👏

Born on this day, 24 August 1890. Duke Kahanamoku. 🌊

Today we remember one of the great pioneers of competitive swimming.

Born in Honolulu, Hawaii, Duke Kahanamoku became one of the defining swimmers of the early Olympic era. At Stockholm 1912, he won the Olympic title in the 100m freestyle. Eight years later in Antwerp, he successfully defended that crown.

Across three Olympic Games, Stockholm 1912, Antwerp 1920 and Paris 1924, Duke collected five Olympic medals, three gold and two silver.

But numbers tell only part of his story.

His powerful swimming, natural connection with the ocean and remarkable presence made him an international sporting icon. Beyond the pool, he became one of the most important ambassadors of surfing, helping introduce Hawaiian wave riding to audiences around the world.

Swimmer. Olympian. Waterman. Hawaiian legend.

Today we celebrate Natalie Coughlin, one of the most versatile and accomplished swimmers of her generation. A world record breaker, Olympic champion, 12 time Olympic medalist, and a swimmer who helped define an era. From Athens to Beijing to London, her consistency, technique, and competitive spirit left a lasting mark on our sport.

Happy Birthday, Natalie. Swimming has a long memory, and champions like you are never forgotten Natalie Coughlin

18 years later, this finish is still impossible to forget.

16 August 2008. Beijing.

One of the most iconic finishes in Olympic history — and still one of the most debated.

Michael Phelps: 50.58
Milorad Čavić: 50.59

One hundredth of a second.

Phelps touched first according to the timing system, securing his seventh gold medal of the Games. But the image of that finish has lived on for a reason. Even today, people still look at the frame, argue over the touch, and ask the same question:

Phelps or Čavić?

Officially, history belongs to Phelps.
Visually, the debate never really ended.

🚨🚨🚨23.19 🚨🚨🚨HISTORY ‼️

Kate Douglass has just taken the women’s 50m freestyle into another dimension. 23.19, a new WORLD RECORD. 🌍⚡️

Pure speed. Pure power. Swimming history made in Irvine. 🇺🇸🏊‍♀️

The previous world record was 23.49. She just took 0.30 seconds off it. Over 50 metres, that is absolutely insane.

KATE DOUGLASS. 23.19. HISTORY. 👑🔥