First FINA World Cup in Bulgaria – Varna
Valentin Milkov initiated and directed the first and only Swimming World Cup ever held in Bulgaria — a historic 10KM open-water competition in the Black Sea near the Port of Varna. The event marked a defining milestone in Bulgarian aquatic history.
Strategic Vision
Bulgaria had never hosted a Swimming World Cup before. Valentin Milkov built the case for international recognition by combining elite competition standards with Bulgaria’s deep open-water swimming heritage. A key factor was the legendary marathon swimmer Petar Stoychev, whose global reputation strengthened Bulgaria’s credibility in the sport.
International Field
The competition attracted elite athletes from across the world. Olympic champion Thomas Lurz won the event, while Bulgarian legend Petar Stoychev secured sixth place despite being best known for marathon distances exceeding 30KM. The strong field validated Bulgaria’s capability to host world-class aquatic events.
The Galatha–Varna Legacy
One of the decisive arguments presented to FINA (now World Aquatics) was Varna’s historic open-water tradition. The Galatha–Varna swimming marathon, believed to have started as early as 1916, is considered one of the oldest open-water swimming races in the world. Except for a brief interruption during 1944, the tradition has continued for over a century.
International Recognition
FINA officially recognised Valentin Milkov and the Municipality of Varna for outstanding organisation of the event and expressed hope that more international competitions would follow in Bulgaria. The event positioned Varna as a credible destination for elite open-water competitions and strengthened Bulgaria’s standing within global aquatics.