A Lifetime in Aquatics

For many Masters athletes, sport is much more than competition. It becomes part of who they are.

For Masters swimmer Roberto Merega, swimming began early, representing Argentina and competing at the South American level. After spending time away from the pool, he eventually rediscovered the sport through an opportunity to share swimming with his daughter.

“Swimming is a wonderful sport that can be practiced at any age. Take advantage of it and enjoy it.”

That lifelong connection is also central to water polo player Miguel Ángel Lagrotta, who has played since he was 12. After competing in Argentina’s national league until age 55, Masters water polo gave him another opportunity to continue competing alongside lifelong friends.

“What excites me is being with my friends all my life.”

For fellow water polo player Belén Michelino, sport is equally intertwined with family. Growing up with a father who was a swimmer and sisters who participated in sport, she has carried that tradition forward with her own children.

“Sports always crossed our lives; we did sports with my sisters and enjoyed it a lot.”

For Argentinian artistic swimmer Ana Fernandez, the water has been part of her life since she was seven years old. Her competitive career took her around the world as a member of Argentina’s National Team, including a historic team silver medal at the South American Games and a fifth-place finish at the Toronto 2015 Pan American Games. She eventually retired from competition at 22, but she never truly left the water.

Years later, a coach encouraged Ana to discover Masters artistic swimming alongside a former teammate. What began with exhibitions grew into new routines, competitions, and eventually a return to the South American Championships, where she competed in solo and duet events. This time, however, the experience felt different. Masters gave her the opportunity to appreciate the technical and expressive sides of artistic swimming without the same pressure she had experienced as an elite athlete.

Now also a coach, that perspective has become something Ana hopes to pass on to the next generation: “We take moments, not medals.” For Ana, Masters is a reminder that athletes can return to the sports they love, experience them differently, and discover an entirely new reason to stay involved.

For Argentinian Masters swimmer María del Pilar Pereira, Masters swimming represents a unique combination of enjoyment, passion, competition, and longevity. It also requires commitment—finding time for yourself while balancing family, friends, work, and everyday life. For Pilar, returning to Masters feels like returning to a familiar place and reconnecting with an important part of who she is, while caring for herself physically and mentally through the sport she loves.

Argentinian Olympian Verónica Gloria Ribot Canales represents another powerful side of the Masters journey. After representing Argentina at the Los Angeles 1984 and Barcelona 1992 Olympic Games, including reaching both the springboard and platform finals in Barcelona, Verónica eventually stepped away from competition but remained connected to diving through coaching.

Years later, Masters helped her find her way back to the boards. Now, after navigating retirement, injury, and a return to competition, Buenos Aires 2026 will bring her journey full circle. “It’s like a cycle, returning to where it all started.” Her story is a reminder to former athletes: you can come back. The goals and pressures may change, but the love for your sport doesn’t have to.

For Argentinian Masters diver David Hernán Pérez, returning to competition at 58 feels like a second chance. After beginning the sport at 15, Masters has allowed him to rediscover the adrenaline of competition while reconnecting with the same group of friends who have shared his passion for nearly four decades. “Being able to compete again at 58 thanks to Masters is something extraordinary, almost magical.”

Together, their stories capture something fundamental about Masters aquatics: the sport may evolve throughout your life, but the community, friendships, and passion can remain.

A Place for Everyone

Masters aquatics also creates opportunities to begin something completely new.

Argentinian diver Marco Zambrano began diving only two years ago. Even after an injury kept him away for six months, he returned determined to continue discovering what he could accomplish.

“I don’t want to prove that I’m better than others, but rather discover what the best version of myself can be.”

His experience reflects the inclusive spirit of Masters competition.

“No matter your age, you can come and participate according to your own abilities.”

Belén sees that same openness within water polo. Her Masters team in Rosario has grown to more than 40 players, demonstrating how the sport can welcome athletes with different backgrounds and levels of experience.

“You don’t need experience; just prioritize yourself and enjoy the process.”

That spirit of continued growth is also reflected in Argentinian diver Reynaldo Martinez, whose lifelong connection to diving began with cliff diving and has now expanded into traditional diving. For Reynaldo, this new chapter is an opportunity to experience the sport differently—refining his technique, learning its technical rules, and continuing to challenge himself in a discipline he has loved for years.

For Argentinian artistic swimmer Bruno Lázzaro, discovering artistic swimming opened an entirely new world of possibilities. With a background in water polo and dance, Bruno became a pioneering male artistic swimmer, finding a discipline where he could combine his experience in the water with the art that, as he describes it, “runs through his veins.” By incorporating elements of classical dance into artistic swimming, Bruno continues to challenge himself both as an athlete and coach. 

Buenos Aires 2026 makes that journey even more special. Reynaldo is excited not only for the opportunity to compete at home, but to welcome athletes from across the Americas and introduce them to Argentina’s strong, united Masters community.

Whether an Olympian, a lifelong competitor, an athlete returning after decades away, or someone discovering a discipline for the first time, there is a place in Masters aquatics.

Argentina Is Ready to Welcome the Americas

For these athletes, Buenos Aires 2026 carries an additional significance: the opportunity to compete at home while welcoming friends, teammates, and new faces from throughout the Americas.

“It’s a great honor to participate in an event like this in my country, and especially in my hometown,” Roberto shares. For Miguel, hosting the championship is an opportunity to return the hospitality Argentinian athletes have experienced while competing internationally. “It’s great to return, in a certain way, all that they give us when we travel abroad.” Belén believes visitors will experience something deeply characteristic of Argentina: “We are characterized by having that spirit of welcoming our visitors.” And Marco shares that excitement: “It is very important for us to have this opportunity to host the PanAm Aquatics Masters Championships.” 

Competing at Buenos Aires 2026 will also give Ana an opportunity to share Argentina through artistic swimming. She is developing choreography with elements that hold special meaning for the country, using her routines not only to compete, but to transmit Argentinian culture through movement and the water. For Ana, welcoming the Masters community to her home country is an opportunity to share the sport she has loved throughout her life—and show athletes from across the Americas the culture, passion, and community behind Argentine aquatics.

Buenos Aires 2026 will be especially meaningful for Bruno because competing at home means more of his team will have the opportunity to participate—and, for the first time, they will all compete together. Beyond his own performance, Bruno is excited to share Argentina’s artistic swimming community with athletes from across the Americas and welcome Masters athletes from every discipline to experience the welcoming and enchanting energy of Buenos Aires.

For Reynaldo, the championship is another opportunity to show visiting athletes what Argentina and its Masters community are all about—welcoming the continent, sharing their passion for aquatics, and experiencing the excitement of competing together on home soil.

Competing at Buenos Aires 2026 makes that experience even more meaningful for María del Pilar. Swimming in her home city means sharing the moment with her daughter, family, friends, and all those who support her every day—bringing together her love for swimming and the people who have been part of her journey.

Their message is clear: Argentina is ready. Buenos Aires is waiting. And the Masters community is counting the days to gather for this unforgettable event.

More Than a Championship

Buenos Aires 2026 will bring together athletes with different ages, experiences, goals, countries, and stories. Some will arrive chasing medals and personal bests. Others will return to competition after years away. Some will reunite with friends they have known for decades, while others will compete internationally for the first time.

For Verónica, competing in Buenos Aires after nearly four decades away from Argentina will be an emotional homecoming—and an opportunity to welcome the Masters community to the country she once represented on the Olympic stage.

“I want to welcome everyone to our country and hope they see the beauty and hospitality we have to offer.” Whether you left competition five years ago or decades ago, Masters offers the opportunity to return, reconnect, and create a new chapter in the sport you love. 

But they will share something much bigger than results. As Miguel puts it: “Sport is a way of life. It’s not about killing yourself in the water, but rather about sharing and enjoying this way of life.” For David, having athletes from across the Americas come to Argentina is a rare opportunity to compete at home, celebrate a lifelong community, and show that age does not have to define what an athlete can still achieve.

That is the spirit Argentina’s Masters athletes hope to share with the continent in Buenos Aires.

Come compete. Come reconnect. Come discover what you can achieve. And, above all, come enjoy aquatics together.

Register today for the 2026 PanAm Aquatics Masters Championships in Buenos Aires and join Masters athletes from across the Americas for an unforgettable celebration of sport, friendship, and community.

¡Nos vemos en Buenos Aires!