Marleen Veldhuis from the Netherlands won the women’s 100 meter freestyle at the European swimming championships.

Three-time Olympic champion Pieter van den Hoogenband who is suffering from illness, failed to qualify for the men’s 200m freestyle final. The race was won by Germany’s Paul Biedermann.

“I started off a little fast and logically I suffered in the final metres,” explained Veldhuis, the 50m freestyle short-course world record holder (23.58).

“Without the encouragement of the public I’m sure I wouldn’t have won.”

Lisbeth Lenton from Australia won the 100 meter freestyle gold medal in Melbourne last year at the world championships, beating Veldhuis.

Austria’s Mirna Jukic won the 100m breaststroke.

Laszlo Cseh from Hungary won gold in the 200m medley and Gergo Kis also from Hungary won the 800m freestyle.

Read more: Sprint queen Veldhuis sets tone for Olympics swimming