Sarah Sjöström returns to European waters a year after becoming a first-time mum when she goes in the 50 fly prelims in Paris.
The Swede gave birth to son Adrian in August 2025 and returned to competitive racing at the Stockholm Swim Open in April.
David Popovici makes his first appearance at Paris 2026 in the 100 free in which he won at the previous two editions.
Angharad Evans makes her continental long-course debut in the 100m breaststroke after making her title breakthrough at the Commonwealth Games.
Women’s 50m Butterfly
Sjöström is the most decorated swimmer in the history of the European Championships with 28 medals since her first appearance at Eindhoven 2008 where the 14-year-old won the 100 fly.
The triple Olympic champion is a five-time champion in this event and she led the way in the sixth and final heat in 25.40 to top the field heading into the semis.
Roos Vanotterdijk of Belgium was second through in 25.57.
Men’s 100m Freestyle
An enduring memory of Roma 2022 was the sight of Popovici sitting on a lane rope, arms outstretched, after lowering the WR to 46.86 and consigning Cesar Cielo’s longstanding mark in the process.
Then 17, the Romanian bowed to each corner of the Foro Italico as the crowd rose as one.
He also won the 200 free in the Eternal City and repeated the double two years later at Belgrade 2024.
Now 21, Popovici went in the 10th and final prelim where he led home three men on 47s, the Olympic champion rolling into the wall in 47.13.
Home favourite Maxime Grousset was a no-show in the eighth heat, withdrawing as a precautionary measure ahead of the 50 fly final, the Frenchman having fractured his foot in June. Kristof Milak became the first man to break 48secs in 47.92.
Egor Kornev has been a revelation on the sprint stage this year with the Russian rattling Andrii Govorov’s 50 fly WR in the semis on Monday night.
He twice broke 47secs at the Russian nationals in June with his 46.96 topping the rankings coming into Paris. He headed the penultimate heat in 47.97.
