World Series 2025: Barcelona set to host Paralympic stars for the first time

After four breathtaking days in Lignano Sabbiadoro, Italy, the Para Swimming World Series now lands in Barcelona, Spain for the third meet of 2025.

The competition is set to take place in the Catalonian capital for the first time ever to write a new chapter in the sport history as 223 athletes from 37 nations will shake up the Spanish second-most populous city.

From Thursday to Sunday (20 to 23 March), dozens of multi-class races will be held at the Club Natació Barcelona aquatics centre and, for many of the attending swimmers, it will be the first international stop in the Los Angeles 2028’s Paralympic cycle.

The competition will be live streamed on the Catalonian Paralympic Federation’s YouTube channel.

The hosts will be led by one of its top para swimmers - Nuria Marques Soto, the Paralympic champion and three-time medallist at the last Games.

“I am training well, and we see this as another test to improve ahead of the most important goal of the year, which is in September [Singapore 2025 World Para Swimming Championships]. I am very excited and eager to give my best once again,” said Marques Soto who also picked up two silver medals in individual events, the women’s 100m backstroke and 400m freestyle S9, in addition to a bronze medal in the mixed 4x100m medley 34pts relay at Paris 2024.

Eyes on LA 2028

With her sights set on the LA 2028 Paralympic Games, the 25-year-old swimmer has set some short-term goals, and the first one is Singapore 2025 Worlds.

“I am looking forward to it. For me, every year — whether it's the Worlds, Euro, or the Games — is a motivation to keep improving my sporting performance. Besides, Singapore is a beautiful place. I know there will be a high level of competition, and I will have to fight against my competitors until the very end, but I will try to be in my best shape to do so,” she added. 
 
Staging the World Series for the first time is also expected to boost the nation’s sport’s growth and recognition, both at a local level and beyond Spain.

“I believe it’s very important at the Paralympic level to show people here what Paralympic sport is, the values it carries, and the level of competitiveness that can be reached. Having international athletes come helps raise the sporting level, which is crucial to promoting new talents in adaptive sports, creating new role models, and showing the city and the country what we are capable of, since we are at home and can therefore reach many more people," Marques said.

The memories from her first international competition were fresh in her mind.

“I saw a very big world that I admired a lot. I experienced it with great emotion, nervousness, and the desire to bring out the best in myself so that one day I could be like them. I am happy to be part of it now, and I hope to contribute today what those great role models gave me on the day I started,” remembered the para swimmer who will dive into the pool for the women’s 100m backstroke, 100m butterfly, and 100m and 400m freestyle events.

As we dive into the final hours of 2024, it’s time to set our sights on an even bigger splash in 2025! 🌊✨

💥 We’re thrilled to announce the official calendar for the 2025 #ParaSwimming season.

📲 Stay tuned for all the details and get ready to cheer for the best in the pool! pic.twitter.com/3rmM6sJMQG

— Para Swimming (@Para_swimming) December 31, 2024

ITA-ESP Shuttle Flight

Among the 223 athletes competing this week in Spain, many of them come straight from Lignano Sabbiadoro, Italy which hosted the second World Series last week.

Italy’s four-time Paralympic champion Simone Barlaam (S9), who shone with two gold medals in the men’s 50m and 100m freestyle at home, will be seen in action in four events in Barcelona besides the 400m freestyle.

Maria Carolina Santiago (S12), Brazil’s most decorated female Paralympian, will once again be a prominent name in her second consecutive meet. Santiago will compete in the women’s 100m backstroke - the same event she took a silver medal in Lignano last week, besides the 50m and 100m freestyle.

The Brazilian team is bringing in a game-changing reinforcement for this meet as five-time Paralympic champion Gabriel Araujo (S2), most known as Gabrielzinho, will join the squad for six events – the men’s 100m and 200m freestyle, 50m and 100m backstroke, 50m butterfly, and 150m medley.