Italy's Sara Curtis set a new world record in the women's 50-meter backstroke Wednesday at the European Aquatics Championships, finishing in 26.63 seconds in the event's semifinals to lower the mark by nearly a quarter of a second.
Australia's Kaylee McKeown owned the previous mark of 26.86, set in Budapest, Hungary, in October 2023. McKeown, the United States' Katharine Berkoff and Curtis have all threatened the record since. Curtis clocked 27.07 seconds in June, tied for the ninth-best time ever for the race.
The 19-year-old Curtis is a six-time European junior champion and won three golds — including in the 50 backstroke — at the European short-course (25-meter pool) championships last year. This was her first major long-course (50-meter pool) gold.
The 50-meter events — all-out sprints over one length of the pool — will have increased attention over the next two years. The short versions of the backstroke, **** erfly and **** troke will all make their Olympic debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Games. The 50-meter freestyle has been in the Olympics since 1988.
The European championships are the biggest event of the year for the continent's swimmers. The Pan-Pacific Championships — featuring the U.S., Canada, Australia and more — begin Wednesday night in Irvine, Calif. The next World Aquatics Championships meet is in July 2027.
#backstroke #mckeown
Australia's Kaylee McKeown owned the previous mark of 26.86, set in Budapest, Hungary, in October 2023. McKeown, the United States' Katharine Berkoff and Curtis have all threatened the record since. Curtis clocked 27.07 seconds in June, tied for the ninth-best time ever for the race.
The 19-year-old Curtis is a six-time European junior champion and won three golds — including in the 50 backstroke — at the European short-course (25-meter pool) championships last year. This was her first major long-course (50-meter pool) gold.
The 50-meter events — all-out sprints over one length of the pool — will have increased attention over the next two years. The short versions of the backstroke, **** erfly and **** troke will all make their Olympic debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Games. The 50-meter freestyle has been in the Olympics since 1988.
The European championships are the biggest event of the year for the continent's swimmers. The Pan-Pacific Championships — featuring the U.S., Canada, Australia and more — begin Wednesday night in Irvine, Calif. The next World Aquatics Championships meet is in July 2027.
#backstroke #mckeown
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