European Swimming Championships Take Place in Paris
Listen to the story
The 2026 European Swimming Championships are taking place in Paris, with a full program of races each day.
On Thursday 13 August, several swimming events were held. The races were broadcast on television so fans could watch from home.
French star Léon Marchand will make his individual debut at the championships on Friday 14 August. Marchand is one of the most successful swimmers in France, known for his skill in multiple swimming styles.
Meanwhile, a new name is drawing attention: a young swimmer called Cristofini. Some experts believe he is showing even more promise than famous swimmers Yannick Agnel and Léon Marchand did when they were the same age.
Agnel and Marchand are both celebrated French athletes who have won major international titles, including Olympic medals. Their early careers are often used as a benchmark for judging young talent.
This comparison has created excitement among swimming fans, who are eager to see if Cristofini can eventually match or even surpass the achievements of these two legends of French swimming.
As the championships continue in Paris, attention will remain on both established stars like Marchand and rising talents like Cristofini, as fans wait to see who will dominate the competition this year.
Vocabulary10 words
- championships
- a big sports event where the best compete
- broadcast
- shown on TV or radio
- individual
- done alone, not with a team
- debut
- the first time someone does something in public
- celebrated
- very famous and admired
- benchmark
- a standard used to compare things
- legend
- someone famous and admired for a long time
- dominate
- to be much better than others
- promise
- signs that someone will be very good
- talent
- natural skill or ability
Quiz
Answer key
1. Skill in multiple swimming styles 2. Cristofini 3. Friday 14 August
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
The 2026 European Swimming _____ are taking place in Paris.
On Thursday 13 August, several swimming events were held and _____ on television.
French star Léon Marchand will make his _____ debut at the championships on Friday 14 August.
Marchand is known for his skill in multiple swimming _____.
A young swimmer called Cristofini is drawing _____.
Some experts believe he is showing even more _____ than Agnel and Marchand did at the same age.
Agnel and Marchand are both _____ French athletes who have won Olympic medals.
Their early careers are often used as a _____ for judging young talent.
Fans want to see if Cristofini can match these two _____ of French swimming.
Attention remains on who will _____ the competition this year.