Sarah Sjostrom back with a bang at Canet Mare Nostrum

Sarah Sjostrom seriously injured her elbow three months ago, but made up for lost time with an exceptional swim at the Mare Nostrum swimming series in Canet, France on Tuesday (1st June).

The Swedish 50m freestyle world record holder clocked 24.68 in the morning's heats, in what was her competitive return to the pool after slipping on ice in February.

However she had to settle for bronze in the final, behind victorious reigning Olympic champion Pernille Blume (24.09), and second-placed Melanie Henique (24.69).

Also of note in the 50 free was 43-year-old Therese Alshammar's competitive swim. The Swedish Olympic silver medallist from Sydney 2000 touched home in 25.52 to finish fifth in the final.

Hungary's Katinka Hosszu continued her run of good form, winning three medals. The 'Iron Lady' won the 200 back in 2:11.89, before taking the 200IM title in 2:11.62, 25.

Half an hour later and the three-time Olympic champ from Rio 2016 landed silver in the 200 free, finishing behind by her fellow Hungarian Evelyn Verraszto in 1:59.42 with Hosszu clocking 2:00.44.

In the men's 100m butterfly, Olympic gold medallist Chad Le Clos touched home first fly in 52.29. Frenchman Mehdy Metella led at halfway, before finishing second in 52.64 while Maria Jose Mata Cocco of Mexico won the women’s race in 59.72

Estonia's Kregor Zirk won men's 200m freestyle with a new national record of 1:46.90, while Yulia Efimova sealed the women's 100m breaststroke title in 1:06.98. Erik Persson of Sweden took the men’s title in 1:00.86.

Jessica Vall Montero of Spain produced a confident display in the women's 100 breaststroke to secure the top heat time in 1:08.14, ahead of second-placed Yulia Efimova in 1:08.33.

Another Frenchman making waves was London 2012 Olympic champ Florent Manaudou, who tied with three-time world medallist Bruno Fratus for first place in the men’s 50m free in 22.12. Sweden’s Bjoern Seeliger (22.30) took third.