Sara Curtis has set a new world record in the women’s 50-meter backstroke. She achieved the feat at the 2026 European Swimming Championships in Paris.

Curtis posted a time of26.63 secondsduring the semifinals. The performance also gave her a place in swimming history.

According to Virginia Sports, Curtis is thefirst Black swimmer, male or female, to hold an individual long-course meters swimming world record. She is a sophomore swimmer at the University of Virginia.

Curtis delivered her record-breaking swim at the Centre Aquatique Olympique Métropole du Grand Paris. She lowered the previous world record by 0.23 seconds.

The previous record stood at26.86 seconds. Australian swimmer Kaylee McKeown set that mark in 2003.

Curtis had entered the race with a personal best of 27.07 seconds. Her new mark therefore improved her personal best by 0.44 seconds.

The result also added to Virginia’s growing presence in international swimming. Virginia swimmers now hold 18 current world records.

Curtis’ achievement carries added significance beyond the stopwatch. Her 26.63-second swim gave her a record previously held by no Black swimmer.

Virginia Sports identified Curtis as the first Black swimmer to hold an individual long-course meters world record. The distinction covers both male and female swimmers.

Long-course swimming takes place in a 50-meter pool. That makes Curtis’ record especially notablewithin the sport’s record books.

Curtis’ record was not her only major result at the championships. She also helped Italy finish second in the women’s 4×100-meter freestyle relay.

Curtis swam the second leg of the relay. She recorded a split of 52.29 seconds.

The Italian team finished with a time of3:33.19. The performance also set a new Italian national record.

The relay result gave Curtis her second medal of the championships.

Curtis is currently a sophomore at the University of Virginia. She competes for the school’s swimming and diving program.

Her latest achievement adds to analready strong international career. She now holds a world record while competing at one of Europe’s major swimming championships.

Curtis was also scheduled to compete in the 50-meter backstroke final on Thursday night. Her semifinal performance had already secured her place in the final.

Curtis’ achievement highlights the changing face of elite swimming. Her record gives Black swimmers another major milestone to see themselves reflected in.

The record also adds to Virginia’s international success. The university’s swimmers now account for 18 current world records.

For Curtis, theachievement combines personal progresswith a wider sporting milestone. Her jump from a 27.07 personal best to 26.63 seconds shows the scale of her performance.

She now enters the next stage of the championships as a world-record holder.

Sara Curtis is the first black swimmer (male or female) to hold an individual LCM World Record. Absolutely sensational!