Sara Curtis breaks women’s 50m backstroke world record at European Aquatics Championships Paris; 26.63 WR, 0.23s faster than prior
European Aquatics Championships 2026: Sara Curtis breaks three-year-old women’s 50m backstroke world record in semi-finals
European Aquatics Championships 2026: Sara Curtis breaks three-year-old women’s 50m backstroke world record in semi-finals
The Italian clocked 26.63 in the second semi-final of the 50m backstroke on Wednesday (12 August), lowering Kaylee McKeown’s previous mark of 26.86 set in 2023.
Italian swimmer Sara Curtis took down Kaylee McKeown ’s three-year-old women’s 50m backstroke world record on Wednesday (12 August) at the European Aquatics Championships 2026 in Paris.
Curtis clocked 26.63 to take more than two-tenths of a second off of Australian McKeown’s previous world best of 26.86, which was set in October 2023.
“I have a lot of emotions in myself right now,” she told Olympics.com afterwards. “I cannot describe how I feel honestly. The world record was probably one of my biggest dreams ever , and being able to achieve that, in this pool with this crowd is so awesome. I’m going to bring these emotions and these feelings forever during my career and during my life .”
Curtis comfortably won the second semi-final, with neutral athlete Alina Gaifutdinova following behind her in a rapid 26.91, which itself was faster than Curtis’ old European record of 27.07 from June.
Her swim today, says Curtis, gives her a boost of confidence.
" Obviously, this world record now makes me believe that I’m capable, that I’m strong, that I want to be the best version of myself every single day, and that if I work hard and train consistently, anything is possible ," she said. “I want to live each day with peace of mind and joy; whatever happens, happens.”
Picture by 2025 Getty Images
31 July - 16 August
European Aquatics Championships | Paris | France