Funchal revealed as hosts of 2016 IPC Swimming Open European Championships

Funchal is set to host the Swimming Open European Championships ©Getty Images

Funchal, located on Portuguese island Madeira is set to stage the 2016 International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Swimming Open European Championships, it has been announced.

Funchal’s Complexo Olimpico de Piscinas da Penteada aquatics centre, which was opened in 2004, is set to stage the biannual event with the facility boasting an Olympic-size competition pool, as well as a diving and a training pool.

Approximately 450 athletes from 50 countries will be expected to attend the Championship, which will take place from May 15 to 21, just months before the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.

"On behalf of the Portuguese Swimming Federation it is an honour to have the opportunity to organise such a great event as the 2016 IPC Swimming European Championships in such a beautiful city as Funchal,” said Antonio Jose Silva, president of the Portuguese Swimming Federation (FPN) after the announcement.

"It is quite important for FPN to organise this event since para-swimming is now under our responsibility, and for us it is crucial to spread and promote the values of equality and swimming for all.

"We are hoping to welcome many athletes, teams and other interested parties to Portugal and look forward to the opportunity to show the greatness of our country.”

Eindhoven in The Netherlands hosted the 2014 edition of the event in which Ukraine finished on top of the medals table, securing 37 gold, 29 silver and 28 bronze medals.

Ukraine topped the medals table at the 2014 European Championships ©Getty Images

However the 2016 will see a slight alteration to the Championship with the IPC making it an open event, in a bid to allow as many athletes as possible to have opportunities to earn qualification for Rio 2016.

"Madeira will provide a beautiful setting for the Championships and the Complexo Olimpico de Piscinas da Penteada is an incredibly impressive, sophisticated venue considered to be one of the best in Europe,” said Xavier Gonzalez, the IPC chief executive.

"We expect the European Open to be the perfect curtain-raiser for Rio as athletes attempt to secure the last qualification spots just four months out, and will be a good indicator of form for those who have already booked their places."

The announcement comes just a few weeks before the IPC Swimming World Championships which are set to be held in Glasgow, Scotland, from July 13 to 19 with all seven days of competition set to be screened live on the IPC's website.

Many of the athletes who will be competing in Glasgow’s Tollcross International Swimming Centre will also be due to represent their country next year in Funchal, with Championships set to play a key piece of their final preparations before Rio 2016.