American University Swimming: A Season of Preparation
The American university system is known for preparing its athletes for the upcoming season by focusing on yard distances, allowing swimmers to complete their events without worrying about time. However, time is always a factor, serving as a reference point for technicians to identify areas for improvement and reinforcement in anticipation of the official season and international meetings.
International Swimming Calendar for 2026
The international swimming calendar for 2026 is packed with events, including:
- The European Championships in Paris from July 31 to August 16
- The World Aquatic Championships (25m) in Beijing from December 1 to 6
- The Pan Pacific Championships, scheduled to take place in August 2026, although the exact date has not been confirmed
- Other smaller events, such as the Canadian Championships, are also planned
African Swimming Events
On the African continent, the 2026 Youth Olympic Games, scheduled to take place in Dakar, Senegal, from late October to mid-November 2026, will feature swimming events.
Ahmed Jaouadi's Impressive Performance
While awaiting the return of Ayoub Hafnaoui, whose suspension will end on January 10, 2026, Ahmed Jaouadi continues to make waves. In the latest Florida-Virginia meet of the US National University Swimming Championships, Tunisian world champion Ahmed Jaouadi easily won the 500-yard freestyle event with a remarkable time of 4:14.94, ahead of his University of Florida teammates Eric Brown (4:19.44) and Charlie Hutchison (4:20.32).
New Records Set
Ahmed improved his time on this distance by nearly ten seconds, surpassing his previous record of 4:23.83 set on September 26 in Indiana. Additionally, Ahmed Jaouadi achieved the best time of the new American university season in the 1000-yard event with a time of 8:44.85, more than 12 seconds ahead of the previous record held by the University of Georgia's Thomas Koski.
A Promising Start
This is an excellent start for the world champion in his new professional experience, and all indications are that he is progressing towards absolute dominance in middle- and long-distance events in international competitions.
