LEN (Ligue Européenne de Natation), the governing body of 51 national European Swimming Federations, and sports reporters from across the European continent honored Thomas Lurz and Angela Maurer as its Open Water Athletes of the Year.

The two German world champions swam extraordinarily well throughout the year, culminating in dramatic and toughly-fought victories at the 2009 World Swimming Championships in Rome this July.

Thomas, the double 5K and 10K world champion and FINA World Cup champion, will receive his award along with the winners of the other aquatic disciplines before the finals at 13th European Short Course Swimming Championships in Istanbul tomorrow.

Angela was selected for her continued excellence in the 25K.

Copyright © 2009 by Steven Munatones