PARIS : Italian teenager Sara Curtis broke Kaylee McKeown’s women’s 50 metres backstroke world record in the semi-finals of the European Aquatics Championships on Wednesday, clocking 26.63 seconds.
The 19-year-old’s time lowered the previous record of 26.86 set by Australia’s McKeown at a World Cup meeting in Budapest in October 2023.
“I knew I was capable of doing it but I didn’t expect it here, in this race, in this moment,” Curtis said. “I can tell that I am super woman right now. It’s unbelievable and I don’t think I’m going to be able to sleep tonight.”
The mark was the first world record of the 2026 championships.
Curtis, who studies at the University of Virginia, had won bronze in the 100m freestyle on Tuesday and was the top seed for the 50m backstroke after setting a European record of 27.07 seconds in Rome in June.
She also claimed silver in the 4x100m freestyle on Wednesday.
Russia’s Alina Gaifutdinova was second fastest in the semi-finals in 26.91, the third-fastest time ever recorded in the event.
McKeown, a five-time Olympic champion, remains the world record holder in the 200m backstroke. She lost the 100m record to American Regan Smith in June 2024.
Meanwhile, Sweden’s Sarah Sjostrom won the women’s 50m butterfly for a record-equalling 18th European title.
The triple Olympic champion, who became a mother last year, touched in 25.05 seconds, ahead of Belgium’s Roos Vanotterdijk in 25.12.
Sjostrom’s 18th continental gold matched the record held by Germany’s Franziska van Almsick.
“It’s great to be back at this level, I never thought it was possible a few months ago,” the 32-year-old said. “I’m glad my body is still working. It’s nothing I take for granted, so I’m happy with that.”
Britain’s Angharad Evans won the women’s 100m breaststroke in a championship-record 1:04.87.
