The 2025 International Winter Swimming World Challenge (Jinan) and the 12th Jinan International Open Winter Springs – Swimming Competition took place from Jan 11 to 12 at Daming Lake in Jinan.

Nearly 1,000 winter swimmers from over 20 countries, including China, the UK, Russia, Germany, France, and Argentina, participated in the event.

This year's competition, a part of the 2025 International Winter Swimming World Challenge, set new records in terms of the number of participants. It featured a 300-meter open water sprint race and a variety of pool swimming events.

The Jinan winter swimming challenge, launched in 2013, is recognized as the world's only winter swimming event held in spring water and earned high praise from participants, who showed a particular fondness for the city's unique springs.

Participants dive into the water during the competition on Jan 11. [Photo/Shandong Sports]

Winners for the competition pose for a photo at the 2025 International Winter Swimming World Challenge (Jinan) on Jan 11. [Photo/IC]

The event attracts athletes from different countries. [Photo/IC]