Swimming European Championships: Liebmann swims again: What's possible in his last race?

World record holder Johannes Liebmann is set to compete in his final European Championship race, the 400-meter freestyle, embracing the adage of having "nothing to lose, only something to gain." The 19-year-old phenom has already secured European titles in the 800m and 1500m freestyle, solidifying his status as a star of the championship, regardless of his performance in Paris.

Liebmann acknowledged the challenge ahead, stating, "I have to see how good I am still in shape." He emphasized the need for a strong performance in the preliminary heats, as Germany has four strong contenders, Liebmann, Lukas Märtens, Oliver Klemet, and Sven Schwarz, but only two spots available for the final. Liebmann admitted that the 400m freestyle has not historically been his strongest event, with Märtens and Klemet possessing faster personal bests.

Despite his recent successes, Liebmann revealed he harbored doubts before the pool competitions, feeling his training had been suboptimal in recent weeks. His coach, Bernd Berkhahn, however, dispelled these concerns, assuring Liebmann of his strong training times. This encouragement bolstered Liebmann's confidence, leading him to agree with his coach's assessment.

Liebmann typically swims with the pack in training, but in Paris, he has consistently outperformed his competitors. His humility, even after a dominant 1500m performance, reflects a grounded personality, yet his results speak volumes about his exceptional talent and current form.