Citi World Series: Berlin ready to host largest meet as Paris 2024 looms

As Paris 2024 Paralympic Games get closer, every Citi Para Swimming World Series meet becomes a crucial step and significant warm-up session in athletes’ preparation for the most important competition in the last three years.

Schwimm-und Sprunghalle im Europa Sportpark (SSE) in Berlin, Germany is all set to welcome 400 athletes from 63 nations for the sixth and largest meet of the Citi World Series so far. The four-day action features multi-class races starting on Thursday until Sunday (30 May to 2 June).

The hosts will have 13 swimmers keen to be in action led by multiple-time Paralympic medallist Verena Schott.

Schott (S6) comes from a remarkable performance at the Madeira 2024 European Open Championships in April where she collected five medals – including gold in the women’s 100m backstroke and 50m butterfly.

Aiming for personal best 

Now, competing at home surrounded by her loved ones, the German star will race these same events and aims to outperform her previous achievements.

“A lot of pain as always. I am going to race lots of events and hopefully making lots of finals. Of course, I still want to try to be faster as in Madeira,” said the home favourite.

Schott will also compete in the women’s 50m backstroke, 50m and 100m breaststroke, 100m butterfly, and 200m medley.

She grabbed her first-ever Paralympic medal in the women’s 200m medley, and the three-time bronze medallist in Tokyo 2020 says she’ is focused on winning her first ever gold medal in Paris.

“In 2012, I was super happy to race at the Paralympic Games in London and to win a medal in 200m medley was a dream come true. Preparing for Paris 2024 Games is much harder. I gained a lot of good and also bad experience in the last Games. Now, getting ready for Paris has more pressure as I know what I can do and want to achieve,” said Schott.

Facing the demands of parenthood, academics, and training, the 35-year-old German swimmer finds solace in focused preparation, often seeking optimal training environments away from home. 

“Because of my very busy life with most importantly my two little kids, studying to become a teacher soon and my training centre being more than an hour away from home, I am happy to be in training camps to prepare with the best possible surroundings during the season and especially before Paris,” she added.

Huge visitors

Mexico is the country with the biggest number of representatives at Berlin 2024 as 42 athletes will be in charge of battling for a spot at the podium. 

The Mexican squad will be headed by experienced Paralympic champions such as Arnulfo Castorena, Diego Lopez Diaz, and Jesus Hernandez Hernandez.

Castorena (SB2/SM3) competes in two events, the men’s 50m breaststroke and 150m medley while Diaz (S3/SM3) dives into the pool in the men’s 50m, 100m, and 200m freestyle, 50m backstroke, and 150m medley.

Hernandez (S4/SM4) will also race the men’s 150m medley event in addition to the 50m freestyle and backstroke.

Following Mexico in the top three ranking competing in the Citi Para Swimming World Series Berlin 2024 are Brazil and Spain.

Paralympic stars

Paralympic champions Gabriel dos Santos Araujo (S2), Gabriel Bandeira (S14), Wendell Pereira, Talisson Glock, and Maria Carolina Santiago are among the 38 names composing the Brazilian squad.

The Spanish team counts 29 athletes led by seven-time Paralympic champion Teresa Perales (S3) and Paralympic medallists such as Sarai Gascon (S9), Jacobo Garrido Brun (S9), Inigo Llopis Sanz (S8), Antoni Ponce Bertran (S5), and Jose Antonio Mari Alcaraz (S9).

The Citi Para Swimming World Series Berlin 2024 will be live streamed on Sport Deutschland TV and the live results can be found here.