Get your free tickets to 2016 Swimming European Open

The organisers of the 2016 IPC Swimming European Open Championships in Funchal, on the island of Madeira, Portugal, have announced that tickets for the competition between 30 April -7 May will be available free of charge for all spectators.

Tickets are available for download now at the IPC Swimming website, with competition getting underway on 1 May.

The announcement was made with 100 days to go until 450 of the world’s best swimmers from 50 countries descend on the Complexo Olimpico de Piscinas da Penteada for the last major international competition ahead of the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.

Portugal have yet to announce their final team for their home European Open Championships, but five of the swimmers expected to represent their country in Funchal have already obtained qualification slots for Rio 2016.

Simone Fragoso, David Grachat, David Carreira, Joao Pina and Nelson Lopes will all be looking to test their form and win medals at Funchal 2016.

Grachat is one of his country’s biggest hopes in 2016 having won bronze in the 400m freestyle S9 at the 2015 IPC Swimming World Championships. He encouraged people to come to one of Europe’s most attractive destinations for seven days of enthralling sporting action.

"This competition has a very important nature,” Grachat, who is targeting three European titles, said. “First, it is in Portugal, which raises the bar; second, the best in Europe will be here to swim.

“Then it is Open and we will come against the world’s best. All together it will be a great show. It will be a festival of sport and swimming in particular.

"I wish all competitors the best results of their careers. Take advantage of the excellent conditions of Madeira and pools of the Penteada. Welcome to Portugal and Madeira! "

Emanuel Goncalves, an S10 swimmer from Madeira, has also been pre-selected to compete at the European Open.

Goncalves, who won silver in the 5km open water at the 2010 World Championships, is convinced Funchal 2016 will be a memorable Championships.

"I expect a competition and a festival of sport,” he said. “We will welcome with open arms the world's best athletes. I wish them their best results."

In addition to the hosts, big names such as Great Britain’s quadruple reigning European champion Andrew Mullen, world and Paralympic champions Jessica-Jane Applegate, Hannah Russell and Ollie Hynd and world record breaker Bethany Firth have also been confirmed.

Heats begin at 9am and finals at 5pm (WET) each day.

More information about Funchal and Madeira, including where to stay, is available here.

Media accreditation and accommodation is still open.