Seeking revenge: Noè Ponti returns to Paris for European Championships after Olympic disappointment

Swiss swimmer Noè Ponti is returning to Paris for the European Championships, seeking to overcome the disappointment of the 2024 Olympic Games held in the same city. Ponti, who excels in the butterfly stroke, will compete in the 50m and 100m distances, as well as the 4x100m medley relay. He has decided against participating in the 200m butterfly, a discipline his coach, Massimo Meloni, believes he could excel in.

Ponti's strengths lie in different race formats. The 50m butterfly is an all-out sprint where every detail matters, a discipline in which Ponti set a short-course world record of 21.32 seconds at the 2024 World Championships in Budapest. In contrast, the 200m butterfly requires exceptional technique and endurance, a race Ponti finds mentally more challenging. He acknowledges the significant differences between the two distances, stating that the mental aspect varies greatly from swimmer to swimmer.

The 25-year-old Ponti is considered the standout athlete in the 19-member Swiss delegation for the European Championships. The team also includes backstroke specialist Roman Mityukov, another medal contender, alongside emerging young talents making their international debut. Ponti's previous encounters at the World Championships in Singapore saw him narrowly lose to Maxime Grousset in the 50m and 100m butterfly events, setting the stage for a potential rematch in Paris.

Ponti feels well-prepared for the upcoming championships. The European Championships in Paris represent a major highlight of the 2026 swimming season, taking place in the Olympic pool. This event alternates with the World Championships, with long-course and short-course events held in different years. Ponti's decision to focus on the shorter distances reflects his current competitive strategy and mental approach to racing.

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I have often been asked about the mental difference between 50 and 200 meters butterfly, but it is difficult to answer. The differences are very personal. For some, the 200 meters are mentally easier, for others more difficult. For me, they are more difficult.