Andorra sends two swimmers to European Short Course Championships in Lublin

The Aqua Lublin Center in Lublin, Poland, will host the European Short Course Swimming Championships from 2 to 7 December, and Andorra will be represented by two swimmers: Kevin Teixeira and Biel Cuen. Both athletes are entered in the 200m, 400m and 800m freestyle in the 25‑metre pool. Their races are scheduled across three competition days: the 400m on 2 December, the 200m on 3 December and the 800m on 5 December, with morning heats expected to start around 10:00 local time depending on entries.

Alfonso Maltrana, technical director of the Andorran Swimming Federation (FAN), said the team’s objective is to “try to set Andorran records and, at least, achieve personal bests in each event.” He added that both swimmers arrive in very good form and described the championships as the first major continental meet of the post‑Games cycle, offering a valuable stage for the nation’s swimming progression.

Kevin Teixeira will make his European Championships debut in Lublin; he has previously competed at two World Championships. Teixeira is aiming to consolidate his position at international level and to improve his personal bests. He holds Andorra’s short‑course national record in the 800m freestyle with a time of 8:06.91, a mark the federation believes he can match or better in Lublin.

Biel Cuen, born in 2007, will make his senior European debut after appearances at junior Europeans and the Games of the Small States. Cuen trains with Club Natació Sant Andreu while combining university studies and is already the Andorran short‑course record holder in the 200m (1:51.63) and 400m (3:52.19) freestyle. Maltrana framed Cuen’s selection as part of a generational renewal within the FAN and pointed to development initiatives such as the Nedar és Vida programme as key to advancing young talent.

Maltrana also emphasised that, despite competing in the same events, the two swimmers should support one another rather than be set against each other: the focus is on mutual support and shared progress. Maria Suárez, country banking director at Andbank, praised the athletes’ dedication and said the delegation shows that even a small country can compete on the international stage.

Asked about the recent resignation of swimmer Alejandra Mejía, Maltrana said the decision was received with sadness but that the federation respects and supports personal choices, adding that it appeared to be definitive though he hoped otherwise.