Andorran Swimmers Cuen and Teixeira Finish 30th and 31st in 800m Freestyle Heats

Andorran swimmer Biel Cuen set a new personal best in the 400m freestyle on the final day of the European Swimming Championships in Paris, clocking 3:58.43 to shave 0.42 seconds off his previous mark.

The performance from the young swimmer with the Andorran Swimming Federation (FAN) capped a strong tournament for him. Cuen also established a national record in the 200m freestyle with 1:51.26 and improved his personal best in the 800m freestyle to 8:19.67, finishing 30th overall in that event. Kevin Teixeira placed 31st in the 800m with 8:28.16 and recorded 4:07.38 in the 400m, falling short of his best time. Teixeira finished last in his 200m freestyle heat in 1:56.62.

Cuen touched fourth at the 100m split in his 200m heat with 54.54 before taking second behind Slovenia's Primoz Senica Pavletic, who won in 1:51.05. Cuen's overall ranking of 64th out of 84 swimmers did not advance him, while Teixeira ended 79th.

"I'm very happy to have broken this record. It had been a long time since I could lower it, and I set it as a goal this season. I achieved it with good sensations," Cuen said after the 200m. He added: "I'm feeling very good now and eager for the 400 freestyle, my last race."

Teixeira reflected: "I now start two weeks of vacation to return in September stronger than ever. Being able to start a new season and face it differently."

FAN technical director Alfonso Maltrana assessed the event: "The level of this championship has been the highest in the European sphere over the last two Olympic cycles. It has shown us that we must double our efforts to try to get closer to the leading countries. It is true that we are approaching them at a good pace, but after this European Championship we know we will have to do it with more intensity."