Galway 17-year-old breaks national record, closes on Olympic time

John Shortt is just 0.4 off the Olympic standard in the 200m backstroke. 

John Shortt before the 200m backstroke at the Irish Open Swimming Championships and Olympic Trials. Picture: ©INPHO/Bryan Keane

17-year-old John Shortt starred on day three of the Irish Open Championships and Olympic Trials, setting a new national record in the 200m backstroke. 

The National Centre Limerick swimmer touched the wall in 1:57.90, taking more than half a second off the record he set at the World Championships earlier this year. He is now just four tenths of a second off the Olympic qualification time. The Galway teenager will go again on Saturday in the super final.