Johannes Liebmann cruises to 800m freestyle gold in Paris; sets continental and championship records.

European Aquatics Championships 2026: Johannes Liebmann cruises to 800m freestyle gold in Paris

The German hit the gas with 500 metres to go, cruising to the title and resetting his own continental record.

German swimmer Johannes Liebmann was racing against himself, literally, on Wednesday (12 August), as he cruised to a new European record and the gold medal at the European Aquatics Championships 2026 in Paris, France.

Paris 2024 Olympic champion Daniel Wiffen came in fourth.

Liebmann touched the wall in 7:37.59, resetting his own continental record set back in April. The time is also a championship record. Compatriot Sven Schwarz was second, more than three-and-a-half seconds back at 7:41.16. Hungary’s Zalan Sarkany completed the podium with a time of 7:41.75, while Wiffen clocked 7:43.30.

Liebmann was in control from the jump, as he led from start to finish. But it was at the 500 metres mark where he made his push, opening up a tight race to a runaway.

One hundred metres later, Liebmann’s lead had ballooned to more than a second and by the time he hit the final lap, he led by more than two-and-a-half seconds.

31 July - 16 August

European Aquatics Championships | Paris | France