D-Marin Zea Hosts Piraeus Open Water 1896, Celebrating 130 Years of Olympic Heritage

On 18 October 2026, D-Marin Zea proudly hosted Piraeus Open Water 1896 – Swim the History, welcoming swimmers for a celebration of sport, history and Piraeus’ enduring connection with the sea.

Marking 130 years since the first modern Olympic Games, the event connected today’s open-water swimming community with the city’s Olympic heritage. The signature 1,200-metre race started at Votsalakia Beach and finished at Pier K within D-Marin Zea, placing the marina at the heart of the celebrations.

Honouring Olympic History

In 1896, the swimming events of the first modern Olympic Games took place in the open sea at Zea. Athletes faced cold water and challenging conditions, with Hungarian swimmer Alfréd Hajós winning the 1,200-metre event and securing his place in Olympic history.

This year’s anniversary honoured that achievement while celebrating the swimmers who continue the tradition of open-water competition in Piraeus.

A Celebration of Open-Water Swimming

Alongside the historic 1,200-metre distance, the programme included 1,500-metre and 3,000-metre races, bringing together swimmers across age categories. Favourable weather provided a welcoming setting as participants competed in the waters of Piraeus and crossed the finish line at D-Marin Zea.

Antonis Serzetakis and Georgia Makri claimed first place in the men’s and women’s 1,200-metre races respectively, adding their achievements to an event shaped by the city’s sporting legacy.

The D-Marin Zea Team Behind the Event

Hosting Piraeus Open Water 1896 was an opportunity for D-Marin Zea to contribute to the sporting life of Piraeus and strengthen its connection with the local community.

The marina team worked closely with the organisers to support preparations and the smooth running of the event. The organisers expressed their appreciation for D-Marin’s contribution, giving special recognition to Vangelis Katsogiannis for his availability and support throughout the preparations.

We congratulate all the swimmers, organisers and volunteers who contributed to this year’s event. It was a pleasure to host this celebration of Olympic heritage and sporting achievement at D-Marin Zea.

View the race results and explore the event photographs.