Sarah Sjöström competes at Paris European Championships as new mother

Swedish swimmer Sarah Sjöström, the double Olympic champion in the 50 m and 100 m freestyle at the 2024 Games, will race at the European Swimming Championships in Paris from 10‑16 August 2026. The 32‑year‑old, who gave birth to a son in August 2025 and is still partially breastfeeding, entered the meet in the 50 m freestyle and 50 m butterfly, targeting her first continental titles in those events.

Sjöström leads the European rankings in both distances after strong performances at the June 2026 Settecolli meet. She discussed her changed perspective on sport and motherhood in an interview with L'Equipe, and Swedish broadcaster SVT featured her preparation in a live program with swimming expert Lars Frölander.