The capital already has Stockholm Open in tennis and a Diamond League athletics gala. Now a third major event is added, to be launched in Eriksdalsbadet in March/April 2016.
– Our ambition is that it will be Europe’s most attractive event on long course. We will wager big prize money in order to attract the very best European swimmers, says Bengt Jönsson, CEO of Swedish Swimming to Radiosporten.
The federation aims for an attraction value higher than the already established major events Mare Nostrum, Eindhoven Swim Cup and the Danish Open.
– Ever since we withdrew from the World Cup, we have been missing a really big meet in Sweden. We have incredible traction now in Swedish swimming, so it is also in line with that, continues Jönsson.
Sweden withdrew as organiser of a leg of the World Cup a few years ago, mostly for economic reasons. How can Sweden now afford this?
РWe avoid the fees that the international swimming federation took. Now we have to work hard with our own sponsor, and hope to have good support from the City of Stockholm. We have already received positive signals, says Bengt J̦nsson.
Read and listen to Radiosporten (in Swedish)
