When Marrit Steenbergen steps up on her blocks for the heats of the 100m freestyle here in the French capital tomorrow morning, the entry time alongside her name will scream the difference between Paris 2024 and Paris 2026:

• Then: 52.83 - 7th
• Now: 51.68 - World record

The European showcase Championships bring us back to the City of Light - but we're not in the 2m shallow pool that made the Olympics two years ago a touch slower than its might have been. Rather, the continental clash will unfold at the Centre Aquatique Olympique Métropole du Grand Paris, across the road from the Olympic track and field stadium, over seven days from tomorrow.

Steenbergen, coached by Patrick Pearson in Eindhoven, has been a podium placer in international waters for more than a decade and now, deep into a slow-burn of progress down the years, she's on fire! Like this:

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

 Asked about Paris 2026 in the context of 2024, Steenbergen noted that she was out "to get some kind of revenge in the pool".

At the eve3-of-0battle press conference, the Dutch ace explained:

"My season has given me a lot of confidence, so yeah, I hope I can just keep that line and swim as fast as I did this season here. I think that's mostly just what I want. I'm doing some different events, so I'm just curious to see my shape here. Yeah, because swimming in major championships really brings its own pressure and expectations. It can be a little bit different from some other competitions."

Asked what her goals were, she replied:

"I think my main goal - and maybe that sounds a bit weird - is mostly to enjoy what I'm doing. Because I know when I enjoy my week, results will come. So I'm mostly focused on being happy and yeah, just have a fun week and then I know my shape and my mental shape will come with that. I believe Paris is a place— is a great place - to be happy."

Not quite that in 2024?

"Yeah, the Olympics for me were not really what I expected of them. It's really good to be back and to get some kind of revenge in the pool. I have some good results in this [particular] pool, so I think it will go really well. Paris always has a special place; seeing the rings when you get into the pool, that's always a special feeling. It's good to be back, and I hope just to be faster."