Mary-Ambre Moluh is the European champion in the 100m backstroke. The 20-year-old Frenchwoman won the final of the 2026 European Championships in Paris on Saturday, August 15, with an exceptional time of 57.94 seconds. This performance also allowed her to set a new European record for the distance. The Frenchwoman finished well ahead of the Dutch swimmer Marrit Steenbergen, who came in second in 58.46 seconds, while Pauline Mahieu completed the podium in 58.77 seconds. France thus has two swimmers on the European podium in the 100m backstroke.
A European record improved again
Mary-Ambre Moluh already held the continental record. Earlier in these European Championships, she became the first European to break the 58-second barrier in the 100m backstroke, clocking 57.99 seconds in the 4x100m medley relay, which was won by France. A few days later, she improved even further in the individual final: 57.94 seconds, five hundredths of a second faster. Moluh thus confirmed her status as the current European benchmark in the 100m backstroke and added the continental title to her record.
Pauline Mahieu snatches the bronze in 58.77
The French evening was completed by Pauline Mahieu. Fifth after the first length, the 27-year-old swimmer delivered a strong second half of the race to catch up with her competitors and secure third place in 58.77 seconds, a new personal best. Mahieu thus earned another medal at these European Championships after her bronze in the 200m backstroke. The two Frenchwomen had already demonstrated their form in the 100m backstroke semifinals, finishing with the two fastest times: 58.21 seconds for Moluh and 58.93 seconds for Mahieu.
Three medals for Moluh at these European Championships
This title marks Mary-Ambre Moluh's third medal at these European Championships. The French swimmer won gold in the 4x100m medley relay and silver in the 50m backstroke, before setting a new European record in the 100m backstroke. With a time of 57.94 seconds, Mary-Ambre Moluh leaves the pool with an individual European title and a new continental record, while Pauline Mahieu secured a second podium finish for France with her bronze medal.
