The 2026 World University Fin Swimming Championship was officially opened by Ismail Mohamed Kammal, Governor of South Sinai, in Sharm El-Sheikh on October 25, 2026. The event, which ran until October 30, 2026, saw the participation of around 200 athletes from 20 countries. This international sports event was held for the first time in Egypt, the Arab world, and Africa. The championship took place at the Olympic Swimming Complex in the Sports City of Sharm El-Sheikh.
The opening ceremony was attended by several high-profile guests, including Dr. Ashraf Sobhi, President of the African University Sports Federation, and Samah El-Shazly, President of the Egyptian Diving and Rescue Federation. Other notable attendees included Jin Liu, Vice President of the International University Sports Federation, and Alexander Aksyarkos, President of the Fin Swimming Committee at the International Underwater Activities Federation. The ceremony featured a parade of participating teams, followed by official speeches and review performances.
Governor Ismail Mohamed Kammal welcomed the participating delegations, expressing his joy at hosting this international sports event, which brought together university youth from around the world. He emphasized that hosting the championship for the first time in Egypt, the Arab world, and Africa reflected the Egyptian state's ability to organize international sports events. The governor also highlighted Sharm El-Sheikh's status as a global destination for tourism and sports.
The governor praised the efforts of the Ministries of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and Youth and Sports, as well as the Egyptian University Sports Federation, the Egyptian Diving and Rescue Federation, and all organizing and participating entities. He commended their fruitful cooperation and integrated efforts in organizing the championship, which contributed to the success of this international sports event.
The championship was organized in collaboration with the International University Sports Federation and the International Underwater Activities Federation. The event aimed to support sports tourism and promote Sharm El-Sheikh's status on the international events calendar. This, in turn, is expected to boost tourism and showcase the city's unique tourist and sports capabilities.
Over the course of the championship, athletes from 20 countries competed in various events at the Olympic Swimming Complex in Sharm El-Sheikh. The event provided a platform for university students to showcase their talents and foster international relations through sports. The championship's success reflects Egypt's capabilities in organizing high-profile international events.
The 2026 World University Fin Swimming Championship has concluded, leaving a lasting impact on the sports scene in Egypt and the region. The event's success is expected to pave the way for future international sports events in Sharm El-Sheikh and Egypt as a whole.
Key points
- The championship was held for the first time in Egypt, the Arab world, and Africa.
- The event saw the participation of around 200 athletes from 20 countries.
- The championship aimed to support sports tourism and promote Sharm El-Sheikh's status on the international events calendar.
