Karolina Pelendritou qualifies for European Para Swimming Championship final

Three-time Paralympic champion Karolina Pelendritou has qualified for the final of the 50m freestyle S11 event at the European Para Swimming Championships in Kocaeli, Turkey. During the preliminary heats held on September 7, 2026, the athlete finished second in her heat with a time of 30.63 seconds, securing the third-best time overall. She follows Dutch swimmers Irene Van Drimmelen (30.23) and Liesette Bruinsma (30.57). The final is scheduled to take place on the evening of September 7, starting after 17:00 local time.

Pelendritou, who holds the European record of 29.58 set in Madeira in 2022, is aiming for her eighth European medal. Throughout her career, she has secured three European gold medals (Berlin 2011, Eindhoven 2014, and Madeira 2024), along with multiple silver and bronze accolades. This competition marks her second appearance of 2026, following her performance at the Para Swimming World Series in Paris last May, where she earned a silver medal in the 100m breaststroke SB11 and finished fifth in the 50m freestyle S11. The event in Kocaeli continues through September 12, 2026.