Marchand wins first Euros gold as Liebmann breaks 1500m free world record
PARIS: French four-time Olympic gold medallist Leon Marchand won the 200m butterfly final at the European championships in Paris on Saturday to claim his first continental title, while German teenager Johannes Liebmann smashed the 1,500m freestyle world record.
French swimmer Leon Marchand secured his first continental title at the European championships in Paris by winning the 200m butterfly final, claiming victory in a world-leading time of 1 minute 51.72 seconds. The 24-year-old overcame injury setbacks to deliver a dominant performance, finishing ahead of Hungarian Richard Marton by 2.34 seconds and Greece's Apostolos Siskos by 0.04 seconds.
Marchand, who struggled with a thigh injury at French nationals in June, expressed his joy at the victory, noting that the last 50 meters of the race were particularly strong. This win marked France's first individual title at the championships, while it was also Liebmann's second gold medal at the Euros, following his success in the 800m freestyle event earlier in the week.
In the 50m freestyle, Poland's Kasia Wasick stunned Sweden's Sarah Sjostrom and Italy's Sara Curtis, setting a new European record with a time of 23.84 seconds. Curtis, who already holds multiple championships and world records, secured bronze, bringing her total to five medals in Paris. Ireland's Ellen Walshe claimed gold in the 200m medley, her second major long-course victory at the championships.
Italy's Anita Gastaldi took silver in the same event, while Belgium's Roos Vanotterdijk rounded out the podium with a bronze medal.
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