Expect a Marrit Steenbergen Medal Rush at Short Course Worlds
In June, Marrit Steenbergen broke the first world record of her career, and it was a significant one. A 100 freestyle time of 51.68 knocked off the mark held by Sarah Sjostrom for nine years, going back to the 2017 World Championships. The 26-year-old from the Netherlands had already captured a pair of world titles in the 100 free, including one in a full-strength field in 2025, and she had gone under 52 for the first time earlier in 2026 to set up this record-setting blast.
In August, Steenbergen added a European title in the 100 free along with individual silver medals in the 200 free and 100 back plus three relay medals. Now in short course season, Steenbergen has continued her momentum, winning the overall World Cup women’s title for her performances over the past three weeks in Baku, Tashkent and Astana. She has positioned herself brilliantly for the upcoming Short Course World Championships in Beijing, giving her a shot at a huge medal tally.
Steenbergen previously dominated the European Short Course Championships last fall, winning six gold medals to conclude a campaign in which she was named European Female Swimmer of the Year. Four of those wins came in individual events, the 100 and 200-meter races of freestyle and individual medley, and Steenbergen added a continental record in the 50 backstroke on a relay leadoff. Now, she has positioned herself well for six individual races in Beijing, depending on what she can fit into her schedule.
During the World Cup circuit, Steenbergen won Triple Crowns in the 100 free, 50 back, 100 back and 100 IM. Her quickest 100 free performance of 50.32 lowered the European record and made Steenbergen the fourth-fastest woman in history, a showdown with Americans Kate Douglass and Gretchen Walsh awaiting on the global level.
In the 100 IM, Steenbergen is now history’s second-quickest performer behind Walsh, and her backstroke best times rank fifth (50 back) and seventh (100 back) on the all-time list. With Australians Kaylee McKeown and Mollie O’Callaghan not attending Short Course Worlds, Steenbergen has a good shot to contend for medals in both distances, with the American representatives as her top competition along with Italy’s Sara Curtis in the 50 back.
Steenbergen won the 200 free once on the World Cup circuit, defeating Siobhan Haughey in a Triple Crown attempt in Astana, and she swam a time of 1:50.23 to become the second-quickest performer ever behind O’Callaghan’s world record of 1:49.36. Finally, Steenbergen’s top time in the 200 IM stands at 2:01.83, only two tenths behind Douglass’ world record.
“My 200 free, I did not expect that. I did not expect to go a 1:50, so really happy with that,” Steenbergen said. “I really enjoy racing a lot of different events. It’s just so much fun to be switching from backstroke to freestyle and doing some medley. I think it’s the difference between the strokes that I really enjoy, and it’s not always the same. I can always choose what I want to do.”
In addition to the valuable racing practice, Steenbergen took full advantage of the perks the World Cup tour had to offer. She enjoyed her first visits to all three cities and participated in World Aquatics-sponsored activities designed to introduce the athletes to local culture.
“Usually I won’t do these things when I’m in a meet, but just to get your mind off things and do different things, I think it’s really good for your racing,” Steenbergen said. “It’s just been a lot of fun meeting new people and doing different things.
In long course competition, her historic results in the 100 free have propelled Steenbergen to the short list of the world’s top swimmers, but in short course, she has the opportunity to show off her versatility. Now, this Dutch star has set herself up to be one of the faces of a global-level competition for the first time.
“When I get back, we start training a little more so I can really focus on the points I have learned here,” Steenbergen said at the conclusion of the circuit. “I’m really excited to see what I can do in Beijing.”
