HANA BEIQI (KOS), THE YOUNGEST ATHLETE AT THE EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS: “ROME IS BEAUTIFUL”

Kosovo’s Hana Beiqi is the youngest athlete at the XXXVI European Aquatics Championships. At her debut, she was intimidated, coming out of the water, almost astonished at the attention paid to her. But then she relaxed: the atmosphere of the Foro Italico won her over too. “I am very happy to be here in Rome,” says the 13-year-old swimmer, who will turn 14 on 28 September. “This competition is very important, in a beautiful pool. To compete with the best athletes in Europe, who are also world champions, is an extraordinary experience.”

After the women’s 100m freestyle on the first competition day and today’s 50m butterfly, Beiqi will return to the pool on Monday 15 August in the 50m freestyle. “In the next days I will definitely go to see the Colosseum. Rome is beautiful”, she adds. At her age swimming is important as well as getting to know other cultures. And what better way to do this than to combine her participation in the European Championships with a visit to the Eternal City.

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