Marrit Steenbergen just failed to win her fifth gold title at the European Swimming Championships in Rome on Tuesday. De Friezin had to settle for silver in the 200-meter medley. Kira Toussaint and Valerie van Roon took bronze in the 100m backstroke and 50m freestyle respectively.
The 22-year-old Steenbergen came in the final of the 200-meter individual medley with a time of 2.11.14. With that she conceded 22 hundredths to the Israeli Anastasya Gorbenko.
In the last meters the Dutchman swam towards Gorbenko, but she just came up short. The bronze went to the Italian Sara Franceschi (2.11.38).
Earlier, Steenbergen took individual gold in the 100 and 200 meter freestyle and she became European champion in the relay numbers 4×200 meter free and the 4×100 meter mixed medley. She also took bronze in the 4x100m freestyle.
Kira Toussaint took her first individual medal in Rome.
Kira Toussaint took her first individual medal in Rome. Photo: Reuters
Toussaint takes bronze in 100m backstroke
Toussaint claimed bronze in the 100-meter backstroke in 59.53. The 28-year-old from North Holland took the lead for some time, but came just short of the European title in the final meters.
Toussaint had to tolerate the Italian Margherita Panziera (59.40) and the British Medi Harris (59.46). Maaike de Waard finished eighth and last in the final in 1.00.54.
For Toussaint it was her first individual medal at this tournament. She did, however, win gold with the mixed relay team in the 4×100 meter medley.
Earlier this tournament, Toussaint disappointed in the 50 meter backstroke. The defending champion did not go further than fourth place on that number. De Waard took the bronze in that song.
Valerie van Roon took her first individual medal at a major championship.
Valerie van Roon took her first individual medal at a major championship. Photo: Reuters
Van Roon takes bronze at 50 meters free
Van Roon finished in the final of the 50 meter freestyle after 24.64 seconds and thus remained only one hundredth above her personal best. For the 24-year-old swimmer, it is her first individual medal at a major championship.
Nineteen-year-old Tessa Giele was just short of a medal with 24.74. She did, however, dive seven hundredths below her personal best.
The gold in the 50-meter freestyle went to Sarah Sjöström, who was the only one to stay under 24 seconds with 23.91. The Polish Katarzyna Wasick took the silver in 24.20.
In the 4×100 meter freestyle, the Dutch mixed relay team failed to take a medal. Luc Kroon, Stan Pijnenburg, Imani de Jong and Silke Holkenborg finished fifth in 7.34.68. Great Britain took the gold in 7.28.16.
In the 50 meter breaststroke, Anne Palmans failed to qualify for the final with 31.62. With the men, Thom de Boer did reach the final battle of the 50 meter freestyle. The Dutchman was the fastest in his semifinal with 21.72. Jesse Puts was just short of a place in the final with 22.02.