Kathleen Dawson Sets European 100 Back Textile Record Of 58.24; Third All-Suits

Photo Courtesy: Georgia Kerr, British Swimming

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Kathleen Dawson was just 0.12 off the European 100 backstroke record all-suits as she went 58.24 at the British Swimming Selection Trials.

The University of Stirling swimmer had gone 59.16 in the morning heats to indicate a speedy finals swim.

Link to results

Out in 28.25 and back in 29.87, the 2016 European bronze medallist was well inside the consideration time for Tokyo but also went third in history in European waters behind Gemma Spofforth (58.12) and Anastasia Fesikova (nee Zueva) who went 58.18.

Both women swam those times during the shiny-suit chaos of the 2009 World Championships although Spofforth didn’t wear one of the 100% suits, instead donning a Speedo LZR from 2008 which was 50% textile.

Dawson now leapfrogs Katinka Hosszu and her time of 58.45 from Rio 2016 and she said:

“I am absolutely delighted with it. it’s a great feeling to be going to the Olympics. I am very happy with myself and for all that hard work that I have put in over the last few years to have paid off is great.”

Dawson continued:

“I can’t thank our coaches Bradley Hay and Steve Tigg enough, and my coach Darren Ashley from back at Warriors of Warrington, I wouldn’t be here without him. There are too many people I need to thank for this!

“I can’t thank the coaches and support staff enough across British Swimming and Scottish Swimming. They put in the hours as well and I’m genuinely grateful for all that they do.

“Looking ahead I will continue with the hard work, continue to enjoy my sport and apply myself to training. It really will be just business as usual.”

The 2016 European bronze medallist had gone fourth European all-time with a time of 58.65 at last month’s British Swimming Invitational Meet in Manchester.

With that swim, Dawson became only the second British woman inside 59secs after Gemma Spofforth whose time of 58.12 at the 2009 World Championships was then a world record and remains the European mark.

She had been joined on 58.65 by Kira Toussaint of the Netherlands who clocked an identical time in Eindhoven last week before Dawson’s effort on Thursday.

European Rankings All-Suits

1. 58.12, Gemma Spofforth, 2009 World Championships

2. 58.18, Anastasia Fesikova (nee Zueva), 2009 World Championships

3. 58.24, Kathleen Dawson, 2021 British Swimming Selection Trials

4. 58.45, Katinka Hosszu, 2016 Olympic Games

5. 58.65, Kira Toussaint, 2021 Eindhoven Qualification Meet

“I am absolutely delighted with it. it’s a great feeling to be going to the Olympics. I am very happy with myself and to have all that hard work that I have put in over the last few years to have paid off is great.”

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Mark Spofforth

2 years ago

Sorry, Liz, but Gemma’s record, although set in the “era of shiny suits” was set wearing a textile. Gemma could never get on with the shiny suits and only wore one on a couple of occasions.

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Liz Byrnes - Europe Correspondent

2 years ago

Reply to Mark Spofforth

Hi Mark. I have edited to reflect that Gemma wasn’t in one of the 100% suits. I know she was dropping time considerably from 2008 and was having a fine season. Thank you for pointing it out. Liz