Roos Vanotterdijk Wins European Silver and Sets Belgian Record in 50m Butterfly

Roos Vanotterdijk secured a silver medal for Belgium in the 50-meter butterfly at the European Aquatics Championships on August 12, 2026, setting a new national record with a time of 25.12 seconds, according to reporting by Sporza.

According to Circus Daily, Vanotterdijk shaved two tenths of a second off her previous Belgian record of 25.32 seconds, which she originally set at the 2025 World Championships in Singapore.

The final was dominated by Swedish competitors who bookended the podium. Sarah Sjöström captured the gold medal with a winning time of 25.05 seconds, marking her 18th European title and 29th European medal, as detailed by Circus Daily. Sjöström, who returned to competition following the birth of her child a year prior, edged out the field in a tightly contested race. Another Swedish swimmer, Sara Junevik, took the bronze medal with a time of 25.51 seconds, according to Sporza.

Path to the European Podium

Vanotterdijk entered the final as one of the contenders after advancing through the semifinal round on August 11, 2026, where she recorded the third-fastest time of 25.45 seconds, according to Circus Daily. In the medal race, she utilized a rapid start off the blocks and a strong final stretch over the single length of the pool to secure second place among an elite international field.

The performance establishes a milestone for Belgian swimming, providing the delegation with its opening medal of the tournament. The result matches Vanotterdijk’s podium placement from the 2025 World Championships while lowering her national benchmark significantly on a continental stage.

Upcoming Schedule in Saint-Denis

Vanotterdijk’s campaign at the European Championships continues following her podium finish. According to Circus Daily, she is scheduled to compete in the semifinals of the 50-meter backstroke on August 12, 2026, at 19:26. She advanced to that semifinal session earlier in the day by posting the ninth-fastest time out of 42 participants in the morning heats, clocking 27.83 seconds.