Zagreb hosts 40th "Golden Bear" swimming meet with international stars

Zagreb is set to become the center of European swimming on June 20-21 as it hosts the 40th international "Golden Bear" swimming meet. This prestigious competition, organized by the Medveščak Swimming Club, coincides with the club's own 80th anniversary, creating a dual celebration of aquatic sports.

The "Golden Bear" meet is Croatia's most renowned swimming event, attracting top athletes from around the globe for four decades. This year's edition promises particularly strong competition, with Olympic finalists and medalists from world and European championships expected to participate. Entry to the swimming pool and the event is free for all spectators.

Notable international participants include Hungarian stars Németh Nándor and Benedek Kovács, both Olympic finalists and medal winners. The event also features Egyptian swimmer Abdel Rahal Al-Rabie, an African record holder and a top sprinter in the 50m butterfly. National teams from Slovenia and Serbia, along with Slovenia's junior team and swimmers from Poland, Hungary, Egypt, Austria, and Switzerland, will also compete, making it one of the strongest international meets in the region.

Nikola Miljenić and Luka Cvetko, prominent Croatian swimmers and medalists on the European stage, will lead the home contingent. For many of these athletes, the "Golden Bear" serves as a crucial final test before the European Championships and an opportunity to achieve qualifying times for major international competitions. Miljenić, in particular, has a deep connection to the event, having grown up competing in it.

“

This year at the Golden Bear, we expect very good competition, as every year, but I think we will further raise the level of competition because we have managed to bring in some top swimmers. The competition is excellently positioned in the World Aquatics calendar, and many will use it to achieve norms for the European Championship. The competition will be extremely strong, especially when we add our swimmers from Medveščak and the Croatian national team members who will be looking for confirmation of form here before major competitions.