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 | Day 4 | Day 5 Finals: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5The fifth night of swimming at the 2026 European Aquatics Championships included victories for David Popovici, Roos Vanotterdijk, Miroslav Knedla and Evgeniia Chikunova.
Below are the main athlete reactions from Day 5, provided by European Aquatics.
David Popovici — Gold, Men’s 200 Freestyle, 1:44.15
David Popovici won the men’s 200 freestyle in 1:44.15, completing the 100/200 freestyle double for the third consecutive European Championships.
“I’m very happy to be, I think, the first swimmer in history to win the European 100 and 200 freestyle three times,”Popovici told European Aquatics. “Maybe I wish I had gone a little faster, but I’m happy.”
The Olympic and world champion said his focus has moved beyond medals and individual targets.
“It is something I’ve had since I was a little kid, always trying to improve and achieve more,” he said. “I’ve swum enough for glory and objectives. Now I just swim for the sake of excellence.”
Popovici also believes he can eventually challenge the world records in both sprint freestyle events.
“I think I will reach the world records in the 100 and 200 freestyle sooner or later,” he said. “Until then, I will celebrate and then get back to work even stronger and smarter.”
Roos Vanotterdijk — Gold, Women’s 100 Butterfly, 55.89
Roos Vanotterdijk successfully defended her European title in the women’s 100 butterfly, matching the Championship Record of 55.89 that she had set in the semifinals.
“My first reaction was probably that I know I can go faster,” Vanotterdijk told European Aquatics. “I had some stomach pain the day before, so the situation wasn’t ideal.”
“I made the best of it, and I’m still very happy with what I did. I’m a European champion, so I can be very happy with this.”
The Belgian said her performances over the past two seasons have strengthened her confidence.
“The last two seasons have given me a lot of confidence,” she said. “Maybe people look at me differently now, but I don’t think about it. I’m still doing this for myself and trying to produce my best performance. I’m very happy that I can keep doing it.”
Miroslav Knedla — Gold, Men’s 50 Backstroke, 24.11
Miroslav Knedla won the men’s 50 backstroke in 24.11, beating Kliment Kolesnikov by .01.
“It was completely unexpected. I really didn’t think I would be able to win,” Knedla told European Aquatics. “I came here hoping to make the final and maybe win a medal. That was probably the goal, and now here I am.”
The Czech swimmer had finished .01 behind Kolesnikov at the 2025 European Short Course Championships in Lublin.
“History repeated itself,” Knedla said. “In Lublin last December, I was second by one hundredth, and now it went in my favor.”
“I’m very proud to have won against my idol, Kliment. He is incredible. Five years ago, I was asking how he could swim like that, and now I’m very happy to be here. This is a reward for working hard every day.”
Evgeniia Chikunova — Gold, Women’s 200 Breaststroke, 2:19.32 Championship Record
Evgeniia Chikunova, competing as a Neutral Athlete B, won the women’s 200 breaststroke in a Championship Record of 2:19.32.
She overtook Great Britain’s Angharad Evans during the final 50 meters.
“It means the whole world,” Chikunova told European Aquatics. “I’m so happy with the Championship Record.”
Chikunova lowered the previous mark of 2:19.84 set by Denmark’s Rikke Moller Pedersen in 2014.
“I saw the Championship Record set by Pedersen, and it was an inspiration for me,” Chikunova said. “This is why the gold medal is the best thing that has happened to me in many years.”
She also explained her emotional reaction after the finish.
“I’m crying because this was a very difficult race mentally,” she said. “I saw that Evans and I were racing together, and the final 50 was so hard.”
“I had to push much harder, but I was able to do it. I’m so happy.”
Simona Quadarella — Gold, Women’s 1500 Freestyle, 15:46.22 Championship Record
Simona Quadarella completed the 800/1500 freestyle double, winning the longer event in a Championship Record of 15:46.22.
The Italian lowered the previous mark of 15:50.22 set by Hungary’s Boglarka Kapas in 2016. The victory gave Quadarella her 10th individual European long course title.
“It was very difficult because I tried to start faster, but that wasn’t a good idea,” Quadarella told the Italian Swimming Federation. “I’m very happy to win another European gold, even though I hoped to swim a faster time.”
“I had never broken 15:50 at the European Championships, so this is still another step forward. It is a very rewarding title and confirms the quality of the work I am doing.”
Germany’s Isabel Gose remained close to Quadarella through the first 900 meters before finishing second in 15:49.31.
“A title and a Championship Record—it couldn’t have gone any better,” Quadarella said. “Singing the national anthem is always very emotional.”
“Gose raced very well. She stayed close to me for a long time, and at one point I was worried that she might catch me. Sometimes it is better to race with someone beside you instead of swimming alone.”
“Ten individual gold medals are a lot. When I think about it, it is very impressive.”
Italy — Bronze, Mixed 4×100 Freestyle Relay, 3:20.80 Italian Record
Italy won bronze in the mixed 4×100 freestyle relay, setting an Italian Record of 3:20.80.
Carlos D’Ambrosio led off in 47.86, followed by Thomas Ceccon in 47.56, Sara Curtis in 51.79 and Emma Virginia Menicucci in 53.59.
Thomas Ceccon
“It went very well,” Ceccon told the Italian Swimming Federation. “We wanted to be part of the race for the medals, and we did that in the best possible way.”
“This is a relay we can continue to work on, and it can improve a lot. I think we still have a good margin.”
Emma Virginia Menicucci
“I’m exhausted, but I’m extremely happy with this bronze medal,” Menicucci said. “We went out and earned it with all the strength we had.”
“Congratulations to Sara, who is making us dream. She is a huge source of motivation for everyone, and her presence is a gift to the entire team.”
Carlos D’Ambrosio
“I’m very happy,” D’Ambrosio said. “I’m trying to find the last of my energy, but there isn’t much left. I felt some tiredness today.”
“Congratulations to the whole team. I’m really happy with this result.”
Sara Curtis
“I’m extremely happy with the time because it was exactly what I wanted,” Curtis said. “I believe that in a relay, you always have to give 150 percent.”
Source: European Aquatics and the Italian Swimming Federation. Quotes provided by FIN were translated from Italian.
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