Sara Curtis is amazing! Gold and a new world record: “It’s crazy!”
Incredible Sara Curtis: After setting an astonishing world record in the semifinals, the Italian swimmer repeated her feat in the 50-meter backstroke final at the European Swimming Championships in Paris, setting another record and winning her first-ever gold medal at the continental championships.
Sara Curtis clocked a time of 26.56, setting a new world record and finishing ahead of France’s Mary-Ambre Moluh and Great Britain’s Lauren Cox, both of whom were more than half a second behind.
After the race, the swimmer from Piedmont—who earned her third medal of the competition following a silver in the 4×100 freestyle relay and a bronze in the 100-meter freestyle—let her emotions show: “It was tough to handle yesterday’s emotions; I had a hard time falling asleep,” she told RAI. “I wanted to give it my all until the very end, and I tried to accelerate as much as possible in the last 15 meters. It’s crazy that I managed to do it again—I’m so happy. Another crazy moment! When I decided to go to Virginia, this was all I could think about; it was a huge goal, and I’m absolutely thrilled. If I could bring my parents up on the podium, I would; I can’t wait to hug them.”
Born in Savigliano on August 19, 2006, to an Italian father and a Nigerian mother, Curtis is a member of the Army Sports Group and CS Roero. Her decision to attend the prestigious University of Virginia in the United States, where she trains under coach Todde DeSorbo, has proven decisive for her athletic development. Her stated major goal is the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, and her results at these European Championships show she’s on the right track.
In the 4×100 freestyle relay that earned Italy the silver medal with a new Italian record of 3’33″19, Curtis had already showcased her talents alongside Emma Virginia Menicucci, Chiara Tarantino, and the surprising Alessandra Mao, a 15-year-old from Venice who emerged as another of the standout performers at these European Championships. This young and talented group bodes well for the future of Italian swimming ahead of Los Angeles 2028.
