--- title: "Sarah Sjöström wins record-tying 18th continental gold in 50m butterfly Paris; Ties Franziska van Almsick's European record" sdDatePublished: "2026-08-13T08:14:00Z" source: "https://www.olympics.com/en/news/european-aquatics-championships-2026-sarah-sjoestroem-wins-record-tying-18th-gold-50m-butterfly" topics: - name: "sport" identifier: "medtop:15000000" - name: "sport achievement" identifier: "medtop:20001301" - name: "sport event" identifier: "medtop:20001108" - name: "swimming" identifier: "medtop:20001071" locations: - "Berlin" - "Île-de-France" - "Belgium" - "Sweden" - "Germany" --- Sarah Sjöström wins record-tying 18th continental gold in 50m butterfly Paris; Ties Franziska van Almsick's European record European Aquatics Championships 2026: Sarah Sjöström wins record-tying 18th continental gold in 50m butterfly European Aquatics Championships 2026: Sarah Sjöström wins record-tying 18th continental gold in 50m butterfly The three-time Olympic champion edged Belgium's Roos Vanotterdijk in Paris to match Franziska van Almsick's long-standing record. Swedish swimmer Sarah Sjöström 's 18th European gold medal was twice as sweet. The 32-year-old won the women's 50 metres butterfly title on Wednesday (12 August) at the European Aquatics Championships 2026 in Paris, holding off a charge from Belgium's Roos Vanotterdijk . Sjöström touched in 25.05 to Vanotterdijk's 25.12. Sara Junevik , also from Sweden, clocked a 25.51 to round out the podium. "It's great to be back at this level, I never thought it was possible a few months ago," Sjöström said afterwards. "I'm glad I took the chance, and I'm glad my body is still working. It's nothing I take for granted, so I'm happy with that." With the win, Sjöström took an 18th title at the continental championships, tying the record long held by Germany's Franziska van Almsick . "I didn't even know," she said with a laugh. "It's cool. I am happy to just be at this level and another medal feels great, of course." Sjöström, the three-time Olympic gold medallist – including the Olympic titles in the 50m and 100m freestyle at Paris 2024 – gave birth to her first son in August 2025. She is also a 14-time world champion. Van Almsick won her last European gold medal at the 2002 edition in Berlin. The 10-time Olympic medallist won medals at Barcelona 1992 , Atlanta 1996 , Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004. 31 July - 16 August European Aquatics Championships | Paris | France