Baku: Officials from World Aquatics, including Namhee Cho, Ben Harris, and Vadim Akhmadiev, have arrived in Azerbaijan to assess the preparations for the upcoming 'Silk Road Tour' as part of the 2026 Swimming World Cup. The Baku stage of this prestigious event is scheduled for October, and the officials are also engaging in discussions about the event's organization.

According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, the World Aquatics representatives visited the Azerbaijan Swimming Federation (ASF). During their visit, they met with Secretary General Ogtay Atayev, advisor Rashad Abdurrahmanov, and other staff members to review the progress and discuss organizational strategies.

The delegation also conducted an inspection of the Baku Aquatic Palace, which is the designated competition venue. They met with the facility director, Ajdar Abbasov, and employees to ensure that all organizational preparations are on track for the event.

Baku is set to host the first stop of the Silk Road Tour for the Swimming World Cup 2026 from October 1-3. This will be followed by subsequent stages in Tashkent, scheduled for October 8-10, and Astana, set for October 15-17.