By Giusy Cisale on SwimSwam
2026 EUROPEAN SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS
August 10-16, 2026 Paris, France – Olympic Aquatics Centre LCM (50 Meters) Meet Information Meet Central Entries Results Live Results SwimSwam Preview Index Live Stream Recaps: Prelims: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 Finals: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3The third night of swimming at the 2026 European Aquatics Championships featured a world record from Sara Curtis, European records from Hubert Kos and Johannes Liebmann, and individual victories for Sarah Sjostrom and David Popovici.
Below are the main athlete reactions from Day 3. Quotes were provided by European Aquatics and the Italian Swimming Federation (FIN). Statements given to FIN have been translated from Italian.
Sara Curtis — World Record, Women’s 50 Backstroke Semifinals, 26.63
Sara Curtis broke the women’s 50 backstroke world record with a time of 26.63 in the semifinals. She lowered the previous record of 26.86 set by Australia’s Kaylee McKeown in 2023.
“I knew I was capable of doing it, but I didn’t expect it here, in this race, at this moment,” Curtis told European Aquatics. “I didn’t expect to go so fast. It is amazing, and I’m so happy.”
“I can say that I am Superwoman right now. It is unbelievable, and I don’t think I will be able to sleep tonight.”
Speaking to FIN, Curtis added:
“This is crazy. I don’t know what to say about this world record. It was probably the dream of my life, and I’m so happy.”
“After the underwater, I told myself to push until the final stroke. It still doesn’t feel real. I knew I had the record in me, but knowing it and actually doing it are two different things. I will try to go as far as possible. I always want to get the most out of myself.”
Sarah Sjostrom — Gold, Women’s 50 Butterfly, 25.05
Sarah Sjostrom won the women’s 50 butterfly in 25.05, earning the 18th European long course gold medal of her career.
The Swedish swimmer returned to competition in April after a 20-month break and the birth of her first child.
“Coming back was a challenge, but I’m very happy that I took the chance,” Sjostrom told European Aquatics. “I never rushed anything during my comeback, and a great team helped me all the way. I’m grateful to be back at this level.”
“I’m not back to the level I was at before. I’m not as fast, and I’m not recovering as quickly, but where I am now is very interesting and exciting.”
David Popovici — Gold, Men’s 100 Freestyle, 46.56
David Popovici won his third consecutive European title in the men’s 100 freestyle, touching in a Championship Record of 46.56.
The Romanian finished ahead of Egor Kornev, who took silver in 46.74, and Kristof Milak, who earned bronze in 46.87.
“I’m getting close to the world record, but I’m happy that I am consistently near it,” Popovici told European Aquatics. “I now understand even better the small things I need to work on.”
“That doesn’t mean I should stop enjoying this. It was a great time and a result I’m very happy with, especially against such a strong field.”
Kristof Milak — Bronze, Men’s 100 Freestyle, 46.87
Kristof Milak lowered his personal best to 46.87 to take bronze in the men’s 100 freestyle.
“For me, this year is about building myself back up from zero and reaching the next level,” Milak told European Aquatics. “I improved my personal best by six-tenths in the 50 butterfly and did the same today in the 100 freestyle, so I would say I’m on the right path, especially when I consider my current training.”
“I was happy to swim in an outside lane, enjoy some peace and do my job. It went very well through 75 meters. The final 25 hurt a little, but if I had approached that part with more confidence, it could have been an even better time. Still, I’m satisfied.”
Thomas Ceccon — Bronze, Men’s 200 Backstroke, 1:53.96 Italian Record
Thomas Ceccon won bronze in the men’s 200 backstroke, lowering his Italian Record from 1:55.71 to 1:53.96.
It was Ceccon’s first individual international medal in the 200 backstroke.
“I felt very tired, especially at the end, and I also had a headache,” Ceccon told FIN. “I knew the podium was possible, and third place is a very good result.”
“My previous 1:55 was not yet a time that really belonged to me, while this performance begins to mean something. I planned to swim a low 1:54, although I wanted to go even faster.”
“I tried to race more aggressively from the beginning, and the final 50 was extremely difficult. I can still improve. I have trained a lot for this 200 backstroke, and I’m very happy.”
After the medal ceremony, Ceccon reflected on the work behind the result.
“I worked very hard this year, and I get emotional just thinking about it,” he said. “Many times I was tired, but I never gave up.”
“The 200 is so difficult that it gives you more satisfaction than a 50. The effort begins earlier because it is also mental, and that is something I still need to work on. It had been years since I had raced this event well. I’m very, very happy with this medal.”
Benedetta Pilato — Bronze, Women’s 100 Breaststroke, 1:05.89
Benedetta Pilato took bronze in the women’s 100 breaststroke in 1:05.89.
Great Britain’s Angharad Evans won in a Championship Record of 1:04.87, while Ireland’s Mona McSharry earned silver in 1:05.41.
“The first 50 gave me good feelings ahead of the 50 breaststroke,” Pilato told FIN. “I expected the others to catch me. I tried to hold on, and I managed to do it.”
“This medal rewards me after a difficult period, two moves in three years and the search for a physical balance that would allow me to train consistently. It is a great result and gives me a lot of confidence.”
Italy — Silver, Women’s 4×100 Freestyle Relay, 3:33.19 Italian Record
Italy won silver in the women’s 4×100 freestyle relay, lowering the national record from 3:35.18 to 3:33.19.
Emma Virginia Menicucci led off in 53.85, followed by Curtis in 52.29, Chiara Tarantino in 53.68 and 15-year-old Alessandra Mao in 53.37.
Emma Virginia Menicucci
“There was no way I was leaving these European Championships without something,” Menicucci told FIN. “I haven’t slept for four nights, and this silver medal makes up for everything.”
Sara Curtis
Curtis returned for the relay approximately 45 minutes after setting the world record.
“I’m full of pain and full of excitement,” Curtis said. “I’m happy because this medal is very important for our development as a group.”
“As difficult as it was, I tried to put the world record aside and focus only on the relay. It went extremely well.”
Chiara Tarantino
“I really needed this,” Tarantino said. “I love this relay and these girls. I raced with determination, with a strong desire to come back and with the goal of reaching the podium.”
Alessandra Mao
“I thought only about racing and going as fast as possible,” Mao said. “I will never forget this experience. All my teammates helped me and stayed close to me.”
“When I looked at the scoreboard and saw that we were second, I was extremely happy.”
All quotes are courtesy European Aquatics and the Italian Swimming Federation.
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