Marrit Steenbergen wins European gold in 100-meter freestyle, Milou van Wijk second

Marrit Steenbergen has won the European title in the 100-meter freestyle at the long-course European Championships in Paris. In the final, the 26-year-old from Friesland clocked a time of 51.90 seconds, securing her victory. Although this did not set a world record, it was sufficient to clearly outpace her competitors.

Milou van Wijk, also a Dutch swimmer, finished second with a time of 52.71 seconds. Van Wijk was very close on the podium and managed to swim just one hundredth of a second faster than Italy's Sara Curtis, who took bronze with a time of 52.72 seconds.

Steenbergen's performance highlights her strong form and competitiveness, as she has also secured high placements in previous tournaments. At the European Championships in Rome in 2022 and at the World Championships in Doha (2024) and Singapore (2025), she demonstrated her talent.

The final took place at the Olympic Aquatic Centre, where Steenbergen celebrated her medal win amid the bustle of the event. Competing at that level offers many advantages for the athletes, and it further strengthens the Netherlands' position in the swimming world.

Both Steenbergen and Van Wijk represent a strong generation of Dutch female swimmers who perform well on the international stage. The support from the Dutch swimming team contributes to their success and motivation.

Steenbergen's victory and Van Wijk's second place contribute to the building of their athletic careers, with potential competitions coming up in the near future.