The 2026 European Swimming Championships in Paris are set to be a thrilling spectacle, with the women's 100 backstroke event taking center stage. This race promises to be a closely contested battle, with several swimmers vying for the top spots. Among the favorites, Mary-Ambre Moluh of France stands out as the clear frontrunner. Her recent performances have been nothing short of extraordinary, with a French record-breaking 58.25-second time at the French Elite Championships in June, a significant improvement from her previous best of 59.01.
Moluh's dominance extends beyond the 100 backstroke. She also shattered the French record in the 50 backstroke, clocking an impressive 27.20 seconds, surpassing Analia Pigree's 2022 record by seven hundredths of a second. Her consistent improvement and versatility in multiple backstroke events make her a formidable competitor.
However, the challenge to Moluh's supremacy comes from Marrit Steenbergen of the Netherlands. Steenbergen has been on an exceptional streak this season, setting a new world record in the 100 freestyle and a new European record in the SC 50 backstroke with a time of 25.47. Her performance at the Dutch Trials in July, where she swam 58.33, further solidifies her status as a top contender. While Steenbergen has less experience in the 100 backstroke compared to Moluh, her recent achievements in other events demonstrate her versatility and potential to challenge for the gold medal.
The battle for the podium is expected to be fierce, with several swimmers in the mix. Roos Vanotterdijk of Belgium, the only other swimmer under 59 seconds in the event, has a lifetime best of 58.97 and a season best of 59.37. However, her performance at the World Championships in Singapore, where she finished 10th with a time of 59.37, suggests that she might need to drop back into the 58 range to secure a medal. Pauline Mahieu of France, a consistent performer in international backstroke events, finished 6th at the 2025 World Championships with a time of 59.48, showcasing her ability to compete at the highest level.
The race for the top eight positions is expected to be highly competitive, with several swimmers capable of breaking through and securing a spot in the final. Maaike de Waard, Alina Gaifutdinova, Lauren Cox, and Beryl Gastaldello all have the potential to make a strong showing. De Waard, with a season best of 59.40, has shown signs of improvement, while Gaifutdinova's consistent performance and Gaifutdinova's continuous improvement make her a dark horse contender. Cox, the highest-finishing European swimmer at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, and Gastaldello, with her lifetime best of 59.18, are also in the mix.
The women's 100 backstroke at the 2026 European Championships is shaping up to be an exhilarating race, with multiple swimmers capable of challenging for the gold medal. Moluh's recent dominance and Steenbergen's versatility make them the early favorites, but the presence of other strong contenders ensures that the outcome will be determined by the swimmers' ability to perform at their peak on the day of the race.
