The 2026 European Championships Mixed 4x100 Free Relay Final was a thrilling display of swimming prowess, with several standout performances and a new championship record. The race began with a dramatic disqualification, as Maxime Grousset of France swam an exceptionally fast 47.39, causing the French team to be disqualified from the start. This left the field wide open, with Egor Kornev of the Neutral Athletes taking the lead with a blistering 47.05, setting the tone for the rest of the race.
The Dutch team, led by Sean Niewold, closely followed, with Niewold swimming a strong 47.95, just 0.15 seconds off his lifetime best. Italy's Carlos D'Ambrosio also impressed, swimming a 47.86, three tenths off his individual final time. The Italian team went on to finish third, with a combined time of 3:20.80.
The Neutral Athletes, with Egor Kornev leading the way, maintained their lead throughout the race. Marrit Steenbergen of the Netherlands, known for her lightning-fast splits, split a 50.74 on the first leg, undercutting her own all-time split record by 0.13 seconds. This set the pace for the rest of the team, with Daria Klepikova and Milou van Wijk also contributing strong performances.
The Italian team, with Sara Curtis splitting a 51.79 on the third leg, finished second with a time of 3:20.09. Curtis' split was the second-fastest in the field, just behind Steenbergen's record-breaking performance. The Czech team, led by Barbara Janickova and Barbara Seemanova, set a new national record with their 5th-place finish, showcasing the depth of their talent.
The race also saw several swimmers break personal bests, including Ludvig Bartolek of Sweden, who split a 48.07, and Miroslav Knedla of the Czech Republic, who split a 48.21 after winning the 50 back earlier in the session. The French team, unfortunately, was disqualified, with Marie Wattel and Albane Cachot splitting 52.96 and 53.65, respectively.
In conclusion, the 2026 European Championships Mixed 4x100 Free Relay Final was a showcase of swimming excellence, with several teams pushing the boundaries of their performances. The Neutral Athletes' victory, led by Egor Kornev's outstanding leadoff, sets a high bar for the rest of the championships. As the meet continues, the level of competition is sure to keep spectators on the edge of their seats, eagerly awaiting the next thrilling race.
