Tuesday, June 30

Six more solo tickets to a home Paris European Championships were stamped on the fourth day at nationals in Saint-Étienne, Mary-Ambre Moluh the star of the day with a French record of 58.25 in the 100m backstroke.

That's the fifth fastest time in the world so far this year and augurs well for Paris 2026 five weeks from now, as the top time in Europe behind three Americans and the Australian to beat, namely Olympic champion Kaylee McKeown.

Moluh races for U.S. Créteil Natation and trains primarily with the national federation staff at the CNE INSEP performance centre when not away in the United States as a student-swimmer at the University of California, Berkeley.

Closest to Moluh was Olympian Pauline Mahieu, on 59.57, good for the second French berth in the 100m after near misses in the 50 and 200m events. In third, France captain Béryl Gastaldello was also under the cut, in 59.76, adding to several other qualification swims.

In other action ...

After winning the 100m breaststroke title but missing the required qualifying time by hundredths of a second, Carl Aitkaci claimed his passage to a debut continental showcase with a 27.21 win the 50m breaststroke.

With Léon Marchand out with an injury (see June 29), and Rafael Fente Damers out through illness, the men's 200m free finalists still put on a show: Sauveur Cristofini and Roman Fuchs stopped the clock in snap for gold in 1:46.86, to get 0.02sec inside the target time for Paris 2026, where four per nation are allowed in heats, the top two eligible to progress. For the French 4x200 team, Pierre Largeron (1:47.84) and Néo Dutriaux (1:47.87) completed the top four in the solo final and are likely to get the call-up for for a home showcase in August.

There were no other cuts on day 4, the women's 1500m free won by Lou-Ann Gaudaire (16:22.76), and the women's 200m breaststroke going to Lucie Vasquez (2:28.13).

Monday, June 29

Injured Léon Sleeps Tonight - Marchand Out Of Action

The French Championships in Saint-Étienne had sad news to deliver: an adductor injury forces Léon Marchand to withdraw from the rest of the competition.

After withdrawing from the 200m breaststroke final, Marchand announced this morning that he is withdrawing from the remainder of the competition. He qualified for the 400m medley on Day 1 of the championships and there is scope to add him to all the events he may wish to race in at Paris 2026:

Meanwhile, the Dauphins du Toulouse ace who trains under the guidance of coach Bob Bowman at the University of Texas, left the championships for the INSEP performance centre for further examination and treatment.

In a statement, the FFN noted:

"Léon is forced to withdraw from the remainder of the 2026 French Championships due to pain in his right adductor muscle, which occurred during the 200m breaststroke heats. During the third 50-meter leg of his heat, Léon felt sharp pain in the adductor magnus muscle of his right leg. Although initial examinations (ultrasound and MRI) revealed no major abnormalities, an injury is suspected. To avoid aggravating the condition and to protect his health, Léon has decided—in consultation with his technical and medical staff—not to continue competing. He will now be treated at INSEP by the French national team doctor for further examinations and follow-up care."

Meanwhile, the day 3 show must go on - and did, with four more tickets secured for Paris 2026 Europeans in August.

First up, Marie Wattel won the 100m butterfly (57.90), dipping below the 58-second mark for the first time since the Paris 2024 Olympics. Mary-Ambre Moluh clocked 27.20, shaving 0.07sec off Analia Pigrée's French record and posting the second-fastest European time of the season, behind Italy's Sara Curtis, who set a European record of 27.07 at the Sette Colli International in Rome - on a day dominated by Dutch sprinter Marrit Steenbergen's 51.68 World record in the 100m freestyle:

Steenbergen Shaves 0.03 Off Sjöström’s 2017 Standard For 51.68 WR In Rome 100 Free

“It’s surreal. That’s the right word. I’m incredibly proud of it, yet it still sounds strange to have the world record to my name. I am the fastest woman ever in the 100m freestyle. It still needs to sink in, but it’s absolutely true” - Marrit Steenbergen

State Of Swimming +Craig Lord

Pigrée and Béryl Gastaldello followed Moluh home, both inside the cut for Paris 2026. Teenager Jeanne Lechevalier will also be in the capital and making her Euro senior debut in August, after having clocked 27.85, 0.05 the right side of selection, at the U18 French Championships in Chalon-sur-Saône in late May.

On the men's side, there were no cuts on day 3, national champions including Amaury Albar, on 51.82, just adrift a 51.41 from Bahraini Michel Arkhangelsky. France's top 50-100m 'flyer, Maxime Grousset, is out of action injured at the moment, his appearance at Paris 2026 as a multiple title contender dependent on his recovery.

There were also wins for Antoine Marc in the 200m breaststroke ahead of Lucien Vergnes (2:11.48 to 2:12.14); and Camille Tissandié in the 400m individual medley (4:44.65).

In other news...

Campaigners Frustrated Over Swim England ‘Censorship’ In Board-Resignation Debate

Campaigners for accountability in governance angered over what they see as obfuscation where transparency is required. As Prof. Sue Arrowsmith put it: “These questions need open debate, and a proper open response from the board, not a smug PR statement and a shutting down of discussion.”

State Of Swimming +Craig Lord

Sunday June 28

Walsh’s Answer To Douglass Back Home & Sjöström in Rome: 23.55WR Free Dash

Flaming June, that 1895 masterpiece by the British Victorian painter Sir Frederic Leighton, sums up the mood of women’s sprinting this sizzling season of world records, the latest by Gretchen Walsh 0.04sec inside teammate Kate Douglass’ 9-day-old mark, comeback mum Sarah Sjöström on 23.86

State Of Swimming +Craig Lord

June 28 - French Championships:

Yohann Ndoye Brouard Leads French Backstroke Charge On A Podium Of Paris 2026 Cuts

Five more qualifying spots were secured on this second day of the French Swimming Championships in Saint-Étienne, courtesy of the entire men's 200 back podium and the top two home in the women's 50m butterfly.

Yohann Ndoye Brouard, led the charge to take the 200 back crown once more, his 1:56.73 ahead of Antoine Harlem (1:57.79) and Mewen Tomac (1:58.13). France will have. Fourth man in the heats at Paris 2026, teenager Nathan Muratory having also raced inside the cut at the French U-18 championships in May.

Speaking through the FFN, Ndoye Brouard said:

"It’s a bit slower than I wanted. It’s not as fast as in Austin back in January—though that was after a week off and a week of getting back into training. I’m a little disappointed, but the conditions aren't optimal for peak performance given the heat. Still, I stepped up when it counted. Race days for the 200m backstroke feel more pleasant now than they used to; there’s less stress and more confidence. I think that’s down to the training. I’m happy to have a better handle on the 200m backstroke. It’s true the heat doesn't help, but Léon (Marchand) showed us that it’s still possible to clock the fifth-fastest times in history, so we have to adapt. At the European Championships, we’ll need to swim fast right from the heats, because alongside Mewen and Antoine -—who hit the qualifying time with me tonight Nathan Muratory will be there too, having achieved it at the French U18 Championships. I’m very happy for French backstroke swimming."

In other action, Marie Wattel took the French 50m butterfly once more, her 25.99 ahead of Albane Cachot's 26.04s, both bound for the event at Paris 2026. Said Wattel:

"It was a pretty tough day. I didn’t sleep much last night. I tried to refocus. I’d hoped to swim faster this morning, and tonight I knew I’d have to fight to get under 26 seconds. I clocked a 25.99; it’s not spectacular, but there are positives to take away, and my confidence is gradually returning. I’m happy for Albane, who qualified as well. I had a great preparation period. I gave it 110%. I arrived with high goals. In terms of times, I’m a bit disappointed for now, but I’m waiting to see how the 100m butterfly goes tomorrow. I have bigger ambitions, but I can’t complain. Unfortunately, some people missed qualifying by just a few hundredths of a second. I feel for all those swimmers. Maybe the heat (37-40C across France) plays a role - I don’t know. My thoughts go out to those who prepare for this all year round. It’s a shame the heatwave has stepped in and sapped a bit of our energy, but we have to deal with it."

No solo qualification target was met in the men's 100m free, the win to Cédric Gabali, in 48.82s, France's top shot in the event, Maxime Grousset, out with injury.

Saturday June 27

Sette Colli - World record!

Steenbergen Shaves 0.03 Off Sjöström’s 2017 Standard For 51.68 WR In Rome 100 Free

“It’s surreal. That’s the right word. I’m incredibly proud of it, yet it still sounds strange to have the world record to my name. I am the fastest woman ever in the 100m freestyle. It still needs to sink in, but it’s absolutely true” - Marrit Steenbergen

State Of Swimming +Craig Lord

French Championships, Day 1:

Marchand Makes Another Mark In The 400IM Sub-4:05 Club

Faster than Marchand’s 2025 World-title victory: 55.18; 1:57.31 (1:02.13); 3:05.40 (1:08.09); 4:04.56 (59.16)…

State Of Swimming +Craig Lord

June 26

Court Rules Safe-Sport Advocates Have Right to Warn Of Abuse Risks

A $250 million lawsuit against Nancy Hogshead, Champion Women, and Deb DiMatteo has been dismissed - Federal Court Declares Women’s Sports Advocates Have First Amendment Right to Warn of the Risks of Sexually Abusive Coaches

State Of Swimming +Craig Lord

June 24

IOC Changes Olympic Charter To Reinforce ‘Neutrality’

IOC move under scrutiny as critics say the change could weaken barriers to Russia’s full return ⁠to international sport and risked undermining the Olympic movement by inviting back in the very politics Olympic bosses claim to want to cut out

State Of Swimming +Craig Lord

June 20

Moesch, Ledecky, Kharun Impress

The Pro-Swim series season-ending event in Indianapolis witnessed more speed from Anna Moesch, Katie Ledecky and Ilya Kharun, our report a mere note on this day of many other things to get done.

• RESULTS FOR ALL DAYS

Women's 100m Free

1 Moesch, Anna 20 Greater Somerset 52.88 52.11O
r:+0.70 24.98 52.11 (27.13)
2 Huske, Torri 23 New York Athleti 54.32 53.05
r:+0.58 25.32 53.05 (27.73)
3 Douglass, Kate 24 New York Athleti 53.77 53.09
r:+0.73 25.39 53.09 (27.70)
4 Erisman, Rylee 17 Laker Swim-FL 53.66 53.24
r:+0.68 25.79 53.24 (27.45)
5 Clark, Liberty 18 Indiana Universi 54.11 53.51
r:+0.52 25.69 53.51 (27.82)
6 Vincent, Cadence 21 Univ Alabama Swi 53.92 54.21
r:+0.51 25.91 54.21 (28.30)
6 Pelaez, Erika 19 NC State Univers 54.49 54.21
r:+0.64 26.33 54.21 (27.88)
8 Gemmell, Erin 21 Longhorn Aquatic 54.24 54.43
r:+0.57 26.13 54.43 (28.30)

Women 800 free

1 Ledecky, Katie 29 Gator Swim Club- 8:04.12 8:12.87
r:+0.56 28.18 58.80 (30.62)
1:29.75 (30.95) 2:00.81 (31.06)
2:30.77 (29.96) 3:02.99 (32.22)
3:34.34 (31.35) 4:05.73 (31.39)
4:36.83 (31.10) 5:08.11 (31.28)
5:39.34 (31.23) 6:10.78 (31.44)
6:41.83 (31.05) 7:12.87 (31.04)
7:43.50 (30.63) 8:12.87 (29.37)
2 Nikanorov, Mila 20 Ohio State Unive 8:27.61 8:26.24
3 Dobson, Kennedi 19 Eastern Express- 8:33.50 8:26.33

Mens 50 'fly

1 Kharun, Ilya 21 Sun Devil Swimming 22.73 U.S. Open record
2 Andrew, Michael 27 MA Swim Academy 23.08
3 Condorelli, Santo 31 FAST Swim Team-C 23.25

Women 100 breast

1 Canny, Aimee 22 South Africa-IT 1:07.65 1:05.97
r:+0.74 31.08 1:05.97 (34.89)
2 Jefimova, Eneli 19 Estonia-IT 1:06.94 1:06.54
r:+0.54 30.80 1:06.54 (35.74)
3 Smith, Skyler 22 North Carolina A 1:08.37 1:06.90
r:+0.50 31.59 1:06.90 (35.31)

Men 800 free

1 Finke, Bobby 26 Saint Petersburg 7:38.75 7:56.21
2 Mulgrew, William 19 Shawmut Aquatic- 7:51.99 7:56.51
3 Carlsen, Max 19 NC State Univers 8:02.98 7:57.25
4 Hick, Carson 21 Kentucky Aquatic 7:56.16 7:58.49

Men 100 free

1 Sammon, Patrick 22 New York Athleti 48.15 47.92
r:+0.58 23.00 47.92 (24.92)
2 House, Grant 27 Sun Devil Swimmi 48.55 48.27
r:+0.64 23.41 48.27 (24.86)
3 Winkler, Kaii 20 NC State Univers 48.36 48.40
r:+0.64 23.05 48.40 (25.35)

Women 50 'fly

1 Douglass, Kate 24 New York Athleti 25.39
2 Curzan, Claire 21 TAC Titans-NC 25.76
3 Bacon, Phoebe 23 Wisconsin Aquati 26.39

June 19 - Pro-Swim

Douglass’ New High Dash Is A Dazzling, Daunting 23.59 WR

The latest pugilistic progress from Virginia teammates Kate Douglass (23.59 WR) and Gretchen Walsh (23.78), coached by Todd DeSorbo and team as pros in their college aquatic alma mater, delivers the first American woman to own 50 free WR since Dara Torres in 1984

State Of Swimming +Craig Lord

Australian Championships - Sydney, June - 13

June 13

Australian 60 Bound For Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games

Australia names its Commonwealth team and notes: “One of greats – Kaylee McKeown - has said this will be her last Games … you are going to see some very exciting and special moments in Glasgow.”

State Of Swimming +SOS Guest

Pallister’s Pan Pacs Battle Rejoined With Ledecky

“The format is similar to the Olympic program in Irvine, California - this is a dress rehearsal of what we can expect in two years’ time at the LA Olympics. Unlike the Olympics and World Championships, we’re not restricted to just two swimmers advancing to semi-finals or finals” - Rohan Taylor

State Of Swimming +Nicole Jeffery

Harris Leads Last-Day Charge As Head Coach Taylor Says “Hard Not To Get A Little Excited” About Dolphin Prospects

“Com games, for me, it’s an opportunity. One, it’s a great competition for Australia, in its presence, so they get a lot of profile and exposure ... then Pan Pacs becomes more about simulating our L.A. experience with the staging camp and L.A. immersion” Rohan Taylor on cusp of team announcement

State Of Swimming +Nicole Jeffery

June 12

O’Callaghan Doubles On 52.3 & Says Still “Trying to Wrap My Head Around” 100m

Sub-52? “I think it’s a big mental barrier for me to break the 52, and that’s something I need to work on, and especially how I race and everything. So to see those two girls do 51 is just incredible and so inspiring for me. And it’s nice to see the 100 free evolve.” - Mollie O’Callaghan

State Of Swimming +Nicole Jeffery

June 11

Chalmers To Coventry & Co: The Olympic Games At A Tipping Point On Your Watch

“We’re in a really tough spot in our sport, and I just feel like it’s on me to actually speak up ... I think that there’s a very big false narrative out there that if you’re an Olympic athlete winning gold medals that you’ve kind of set yourself up in life - very far from the truth” - Kyle Chalmers

State Of Swimming +Nicole Jeffery

McKeown’s Eighth Sub-2:04 Wonder For World of 200 Back

Inside her World-record pace to half way, Kaylee McKeown was asked if slight illness had knocked her chances: “No, I think it’s a bit of everything ... nerves, being crook, everything. Sometimes you just can’t get all the stars to line up, but... I’m happy with that - my fastest of this year”

State Of Swimming +Craig Lord

Dekkers Dolphins Under 2:05 After 4 Near Misses & Pallister Adds 800 To Glasgow Roster

Lizzie Dekkers and Lani Pallister lead the next wave of qualifiers for international action on day 5 at Australian Trials in Sydney, but Will Petric falls an agonising 0.06sec shy of the 200IM cut, and looks to the 400m for better news

State Of Swimming +Nicole Jeffery

June 10

O’Callaghan Fixes Her 200 Free Crown Firmly In Place As Pallister Goes All-Time No 5

Olympic and World champion Mollie O’Callaghan’s 1:52.8 grants her half of the all-time top 20 performances ranks; and Lani Pallister enters that list to push Katie Ledecky’s Rio 2016 winning time out of top 20 a decade on

State Of Swimming +Nicole Jeffery

Short Leaps To 7:36: Fastest 800 Free In History Of Textile Suits

“That 7:32 ... arguably is the most untouchable, that with the 1:42 from Biederman. And how I swam it tonight, I think, is the only way to get even close to that; it’s just about getting used to that uncomfortableness” - Sam Short on Shiny standard vs his new all-time World textile No1 800m free

State Of Swimming +Craig Lord

The McEvoy Magnet Draws Jack & 4 Others Under 22 In Aussie Dash

Olympic and World champion Cameron McEvoy leads six men inside 22 sec in the 50m free at Australian Trials and says of Jamie Jack (21.52): ”“His evolution … he’s been pulled back in an elastic way … and he is about to be released. He’s gonna have a pretty explosive run-up to the LA Olympics.”

State Of Swimming +Nicole Jeffery

June 9

McKeown Simmers & Short At The Double With 200 Free Best

Kaylee McKeown on the international season ahead: “I’m just taking it meet by meet. Commies is the first one on my plate, so I’ll go through that, hopefully recover well, and then see what I’m capable of doing at Pan Pacs. Whether that’s relays, whether that’s one or two races, I don’t know.”

State Of Swimming +Nicole Jeffery

Toohey’s Sub 1:06 Raises Hope Of Brighter Times For Dolphin Breaststroke

Shocked by the clock, Sienna Toohey says: “The 1:05! You know, this time last year I broke 1:07 for the first time. And, you know, that was a second faster than that so I’m just really happy with it.” She has a lot more to say, too... like this:

State Of Swimming +Nicole Jeffery

In Other News...

Global Athlete’s Charter For Fair Pay For Fair Play In Olympic Sport

Global Athletes proposes a US$25,000 Games Participation Indemnity for every Olympic athlete. “With approximately 10,500 athletes participating in a Summer Olympic Games, the total cost would be approximately US$262.5 million”. In other words: easily doable

State Of Swimming +Craig Lord

Mark and Tracy (née Caulkins) Stockwell Get Set For Brisbane 2032

Australian reports tell us that Mark Stockwell and his swim legend wife Tracy (née Caulkins) have emerged as the buyers of South Brisbane’s Parmalat Australia site, with bold plans in place to transform it into a premier sport and entertainment hub for the Brisbane 2032 Games.

The riverside venue will be turned into "a party precinct" for the Olympics and Paralympics six years down the line, according to media reports Down Under.

The plan, part of a 15-year masterplan for several sites across South Brisbane, is said to include an athlete walk of champions - in an effort to replicate Paris 2024’s successful Champions Park, as well as venues for sport climbing and skateboarding.

The wider masterplan for the whole area includes 12 residential towers and around 200 restaurants, cafes and entertainment venues. The Stockwells, through their property development company Stockwell, have purchased the Parmalat site for an undisclosed amount.

June 8 - Australian Championships

Short Shadows Märtens WR Pattern To Pace A 3:40.67 Best At Aussie Trials

Day 1 finals, Sydney: “I’m obsessed with that 3:39 barrier. I work my bum off every day to try and get it. As hard as I’ve trained all year, this is the most consistent I’ve ever been. Yeah, I think it’s only a matter of time” - Sam Short, who’d “probably give my right leg for” a 3:39

State Of Swimming +Nicole Jeffery

Williamson Says “Exciting To Be Back” In Post-Surgery Fast Lane: 59.1 Heats At Aussie Trials

Day 1 heats, 2026 Australian Swimming Trials, Sydney Olympic Park. interview with breaststroke ace Sam Williamson on his return to top form after recovery from knee injury

State Of Swimming +Nicole Jeffery

In Other News:

Big News From AP-Race on Global Schools growth:

June 1-8

Fair Pay For Fair Play - The Debate

INTERIM ATHLETE COMPENSATION SOLUTIONS — Global Athlete

There are several immediate measures the IOC could adopt to provide meaningful financial support to athletes without creating a traditional employer-employee relationship.

Global AthleteGuest Writer

Related coverage:

Global Athlete’s Charter For Fair Pay For Fair Play In Olympic Sport

Global Athletes proposes a US$25,000 Games Participation Indemnity for every Olympic athlete. “With approximately 10,500 athletes participating in a Summer Olympic Games, the total cost would be approximately US$262.5 million”. In other words: easily doable

State Of Swimming +Craig Lord

The Latest SOS FORUM Series

Part 1

FORUM: Where Will Swimming Find Patience Without Passivity On The Way To Growth?

Having considered just a few reasons why the jury is out on ‘reformists’ old and new at the top tables of international governance, our FORUM now turns to why traditional formats are misfiring. The Tao opens the way to deeper understanding of why League trumps Cup between Olympic Heights

State Of Swimming +Craig Lord

Part 2 

FORUM: How Will Swimming Break Dow Barriers To Building An Economy Fit To Pay The Swimmer?

In Part 1 of our latest FORUM mini-series, we asked why traditional race-day formats are misfiring. Today, in Part 2, we outline swimming’s economic model, consider prize money & bonuses build ‘a poor athlete’s sport’, & call on the athlete and coach voice to return with the League

State Of Swimming +Craig Lord

Part 3

FORUM: What Happened To The Swim In Swimbledon?

Part 3 - Swimming’s Search For Growth. It’s ten years since SwimVortex published a vision headlined “Great Day Out At Swimbledon At The Dawn of a Golden Era for Professional Swimmers”. Every bit as relevant today

State Of Swimming +Craig Lord

Part 4

FORUM - Has Swimming Lost Its Lore & Love of Storytelling?

“People are not interested in swimming ... they’re interested in swimmers”. So said Buck Dawson 40 years ago. In 2026, swimming is still treading water in its niche pool between Olympic Heights, with no pro-sports economy to speak of. What’s gone wrong & how can swimming spread its song of swimmers?

State Of Swimming +Craig Lord

Part 5

Time For Athletes To Make A Stand: Fair Pay For Fair Play Or No Show

FORUM: Have chance of an Olympic athlete boycott grown? Yes. Would it be easy? No. Would it work? Yes. Why? The perfect storm is building. The question is whether Olympic sports bosses see athletes for what they are: the hand that feeds that must be fed

State Of Swimming +Craig Lord

Editorials

Olympic Boss Of A Business Slipping Directors $55m A Cycle Tells Athletes ‘No Pay Day For You!’

Analysis: Kirsty Coventry says she doesn’t believe athletes should be paid for their work. Then again, she presides over a business that pays directors more in an Olympic cycle than any single international federation gets as a share of Olympic revenues for its entire sport

State Of Swimming +Craig Lord

How The Athlete Can Boycott Without Shutting Down Their Showcase Races & Spaces

Having heard from several keen minds since launching a well-received FORUM on the case for athletes getting a far fairer share of Olympic revenues than they do, here’s a map of coordinates where athletes can make their case powerfully without shooting themselves in the foot

State Of Swimming +Craig Lord

The Gulf Between Shores Where Integrity Sits On Shifting Sands

Enhanced waters having stilled, we take a last look at two sides of a coin from the perspective of two public posts by Australians, one a doctor working in the Enhanced project, the other from a talent agent who works with athletes in the realm of tested sport, with SOS commentary

State Of Swimming +