Apostolos Christou defends 100m backstroke title in Paris; by 0.01 seconds over world record holder Ceccon

European Aquatics Championships 2026: Apostolos Christou upsets Thomas Ceccon to defend 100m backstroke title

Christou beat the world-record holder Ceccon by just 0.01 seconds to make it two in a row at the continental championships in Paris on Sunday (16 August).

Greek swimmer Apostolos Christou out-touched world-record holder Thomas Ceccon to successfully defend his 100 metres backstroke title at the European Aquatics Championships 2026 in Paris on Sunday (16 August).

Ceccon, the reigning Olympic champion in the event, held a slender lead at the turn, with Christou following 0.32 seconds behind him.

Christou gained on the Italian over the dying metres of the race and managed to beat Ceccon by a hair’s breadth, clocking 52.27 seconds.

Three-time world champion Ceccon finished just 0.01 behind him for the silver medal, with Pavel Samusenko finishing third in 52.57.

31 July - 16 August

European Aquatics Championships | Paris | France