news-engine

European Championships, Day Four Prelims: David Popovici Launches 200 Free Defence The men’s 200 free and women’s 200 breaststroke are among the prelims that await on day four of the European Championships in Parius. David Popovici is the defending champion in the 200 free and returns to the pool the morning after his shuddering 46.56 victory over 100m. The Romanian won the 100/200 double at the previous two editions in 2022 and 2024 and is halfway to the treble treble here in Paris. The two-per-nation rule will play its part this morning with four British men – Tom Dean, James Guy, Matt Richards and Jack McMillan – lining up but only two able to progress. Angharad Evans returns after becoming the first British woman to win the 100m breaststroke to take on the 200,heats; world record-holder Kliment Kolesnikov goes in the 50 back; Simona Quadarella and Isabel Gose renew acquaintance in the 1500 free; Roos Vanotterdijk sets about the defence of the 100 fly and the men’s 4×100 free squads do battle.