Santa Fe goes global: 2026 World Junior Open Water unveiled | OneFootball

This Tuesday, the city of Santa Fe took a historic step in consolidating its position as an international sports hub. In the packed White Hall of the Government House, the official presentation was held for the seventh edition of the 2026 World Junior Open Water Championships, an event that will land on Argentine soil for the first time and will have the iconic Parque del Sur as its natural venue.

The event was headlined by Governor Maximiliano Pullaro, who emphasized the strategic purpose of public investment in sport. “Every investment we make, whether to organize events or develop infrastructure, reflects our conviction that Santa Fe is turning the page. For many years we were identified with violence, but we understood that there were tools to change that reality and show the world that it is possible to live in peace and order,” he said.

The governor linked that transformation to a comprehensive agenda that combines security and human development. “Alongside our security policies, we began investing heavily in sports activities, in supporting clubs and institutions, and in creating events that engage our young people. We want girls, boys, and teenagers to find a path in sport,” he stated.

In that vein, he stressed that, even in an adverse economic context, the Province chose to prioritize these kinds of initiatives. “We are working on the biggest sporting event in Latin America, the South American Games, where we will welcome more than 5,000 athletes. Santa Fe is going to become the national capital of sport and will continue supporting every athlete,” he noted.

Those attending the event included the Minister of Equality and Human Development, María Victoria Tejeda; General Secretary Juan Cruz Cándido; the vice president of the Santa Fe Social Assistance Fund Lottery, Daniel Di Lena; the vice president of the Chamber of Deputies, José Corral; and the provincial Secretary of Sport, Fernando Maletti, together with the official mascot of the South American Games, Capi, swimmers, and former swimmers.

The world event is scheduled to take place from September 3 to 6, 2026. During those days, Parque del Sur will host delegations from different continents competing in the 10-kilometer, 7.5-kilometer, and 5-kilometer races, as well as the Knockout Sprint format.

Santa Fe’s selection was no coincidence. The province’s tradition in open-water swimming and the technical conditions of the local course were decisive in securing approval from the International Federation for the joint bid submitted by the Provincial Government and FESANA.

The mayor of the city of Santa Fe, Juan Pablo Poletti, highlighted that “to be the national capital of sport, there has to be a government that drives it forward,” and stressed that these kinds of events are the result of sustained political decisions.

For his part, the president of the Argentine Confederation of Aquatic Sports, Sergio Antonini, praised the joint work of the Province and the Municipality: “Behind this designation there is a significant effort and a track record that places Santa Fe sport at the highest level.”

The president of the Santa Fe Swimming Federation, Yanina Primón, said the competition will bring together around 400 participants from different countries, while Santa Fe swimmer Sofía Garcés expressed her enthusiasm about competing in her home province: “It is an honor to represent Santa Fe in a tournament of this level.”

The 2026 World Junior Open Water Championships will include 10, 7.5, and 5-kilometer races, as well as the Knockout Sprint format, on a natural course with outstanding technical conditions for this type of discipline. The event is part of a provincial strategy aimed at positioning Santa Fe on the international sports calendar and strengthening the development of aquatic disciplines.

On the road to the South American Games

Beyond the significance of the world championship itself, this competition will serve as a key test event ahead of the South American Games. This synergy will allow organizers to fine-tune the logistics and infrastructure needed to host large-scale events, ensuring that Santa Fe meets the highest sporting standards.

“This activity is part of an agenda that positions our province as a host for internationally significant events and strengthens the development of aquatic disciplines throughout the territory,” officials said during the presentation.

The presence of the top officials from CADDA and FESANA, together with the support of historic figures in Santa Fe swimming, underscores the consensus and anticipation surrounding this event. For local young swimmers, the world championship represents not only a competitive goal, but also the opportunity to perform before their home crowd in one of the most demanding events on the international calendar.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.