European Swimming Championships live: Curtis best time in the 50 back, in the final the women's 4x100 sl

At the European Swimming Championships held in Paris, Sara Curtis made history by winning gold in the women's 50-meter backstroke and setting a new world record. The 2006-born swimmer, representing Italy, secured her victory with a time of 27.31 seconds, breaking her previous world record. Her achievement has been hailed by Italian officials and sports figures alike, marking a significant moment in the country’s swimming legacy. Meanwhile, Italy ranks second in the medal table behind Great Britain after a mixed performance across multiple events. The fourth day of competition at the Aquatic Center in Paris saw several key moments unfold. In the men's 200-meter freestyle final, Christian Mantegazza finished seventh with a time of 2:09.83. His participation marked his first-ever appearance in a final, which he described as an exciting opportunity. Earlier in the day, the Italian team faced both triumphs and setbacks. The men's 4x100-meter freestyle relay squad was eliminated in the semifinals, finishing eleventh with a time of 3:15.59. However, Thomas Ceccon advanced to the semifinals in the 50-meter backstroke with the 14th fastest time, joining fellow swimmer Michele Lamberti. Carlos D’Ambrosio narrowly qualified for the semifinals with the 17th fastest time. Other notable performances included Lisa Angiolini and Anna Pirovano advancing in the women's 200-meter breaststroke, while Benedetta Pilato easily reached the final in the 1500-meter freestyle with the best time in the heats. In the evening session, Hungary claimed gold in the 4x100-meter freestyle relay, defeating the neutral athletes (Russia) in a thrilling race that set a championship record. Croatia took the bronze. The Hungarian victory capped off a successful day for their team, adding to the overall excitement of the competition. Meanwhile, Czech swimmer Barbora Seemanova won gold in the women's 200-meter freestyle with a time of 1:54.38, setting a new European record. She was followed by Dutch swimmer Marrit Steenbergen with silver and British athlete Freya Colbert with bronze. Italian politicians and officials expressed their admiration for Sara Curtis's achievements. Antonio Tajani, Italy's foreign minister, praised her on social media, calling her a new star of swimming and highlighting her two world records in the 50-meter backstroke and gold medal win at the European Championships. Similarly, Matteo Renzi, leader of the Italia Viva party, wrote that Curtis's accomplishments were beyond words, noting her ability to break world records each day. Paolo Barelli, president of the Italian Swimming Federation, emphasized Curtis's composure under pressure and her ability to manage emotions effectively, stating she is a valuable asset to the sport and a role model for young swimmers. As the competition continued, other notable results emerged. In the men's 200-meter breaststroke final, Christian Mantegazza placed sixth with a time of 2:09.83. The podium was completed by British swimmer Filip Nowacki and Austrian swimmer Luka Mladenovic. Meanwhile, Sara Curtis was being honored on the podium at the Aquatic Center in Paris, receiving applause from the crowd. Her performance solidified her status as one of the standout athletes of the championships, with her world record in the 50-meter backstroke ensuring her place in the annals of swimming history.