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Apostolos Christou was once again crowned European champion in the 100m backstroke as he won the gold at the European Aquatics Championships in Paris on Sunday by the barest of margins. Two days after finishing fourth in the 50m backstroke, where he missed the medal by just one hundredth of a second, the 30-year-old champion made a strong return to the top with a win by the same narrow margin in the 100m. Swimming in Paris (where he won Olympic silver medal two years ago), Christou turned disappointment into a driving force and once again became European champion in the 100m backstroke. The triumph marked a successful defence of the title he had won at the same event two years ago in Belgrade. His main rival was the Italian Olympic champion, world champion and world record holder, Thomas Ceccon, whom the Greek had never managed to defeat in the 100m backstroke in a major event. However, there is a first time for everything. Unlike in the semi-final, Apostolos Christou moved more conservatively in the first 50m, finishing fourth in 25.48, compared to 25.18 in the semi-final. However, he made an excellent turn, quickly moved up to second place and began his… chase of Ceccon. Until the final metres, everything indicated that he would not catch up with the Italian, but the Olympic silver winner had the last word. With a strong finish, he crossed the finish line and finished just one hundredth of a second ahead of Ceccon, stopping the clock at 52.27, compared to the Italian’s 52.28. “Who, who?” was his characteristic outburst immediately after the triumphant finale. Christou has now won nine medals at European Championships, four of which are gold, while in the 100m backstroke he secured a place on the podium for the sixth consecutive competition. Since 2016 in London, the 30-year-old Olympiacos swimmer has won two gold, one silver and three bronze medals in the event. At the same time, Greece has established itself as the fourth strongest force in the 100m backstroke in the history of the European Championships, with three gold, three silver and four bronze medals.