The 2026 European Swimming Championships are set to take place in Paris, France, from August 10-16, 2026, and the women's 200 breaststroke event is shaping up to be a thrilling contest. With the world record holder, Evgeniia Chikunova, and the British record holder, Angharad Evans, both under 2:20 in the last two years, the field is incredibly competitive. Chikunova, the favorite, has the edge with her multiple sub-2:20 swims, while Evans, who struggled at the World Championships, will be a threat if she can get close to her 2:19 mark. The Dutch athlete Tes Schouten, the only other swimmer under 2:20, is also in contention, having set her fastest time since 2024 at the Dutch Trials. The Irish swimmer Mona McSharry and Italy's Lisa Angolini are also in the mix, with McSharry setting a new lifetime best and Angolini on a clear upward trajectory. The final four swimmers in the 2:23 range, Belarus's Alina Zmushka, Germany's Anna Elendt, Ireland's Ellie McCartney, and Denmark's Clara Rybak-Andersen, will also be vying for a spot in the final. With the gold medal potentially going to either Chikunova or Evans, and the silver medal likely to go to one of the other swimmers, the 200 breaststroke event promises to be a thrilling contest at the 2026 European Championships.
