World Records set in Myrtha pools reach 197 in Paris

Three world records were set in the Myrtha competition pool at the Olympic Aquatic Centre in Saint-Denis during the 2026 European Aquatics Championships, bringing the total number of world records set in Myrtha pools to 197.

The first two came from Italy’s Sara Curtis. The 19-year-old lowered the women’s 50m backstroke world record to 26.63 in the semi-finals before improving it again with a time of 26.56 in the final. Germany’s Johannes Liebmann, also 19, then delivered a landmark performance in the men’s 1500m freestyle. His time of 14:26.79 took 3.88 seconds off the previous world record and made him the first man to complete the distance in under 14 minutes and 30 seconds.

Together, the two swimmers accounted for all three world records set during the Championships. Their performances formed part of a week in which 33 records across different categories were set and one was equalled. These results also added a new chapter to the history of the Olympic Aquatic Centre. Originally developed for Paris 2024 and designed for long-term use, the venue features a 70-metre competition pool built using Myrtha’s modular stainless-steel technology.

Two movable bulkheads and a movable floor allow the pool to be adapted to different competition, training and community requirements. Its Strahlenturbulenz wall-inlet system is designed to optimise water circulation while limiting currents that could interfere with swimmers’ performance. Together, these solutions help create a flexible aquatic facility capable of supporting both major international competitions and everyday community use.

The record tally began on 14 June 1995 in Canet-en-Roussillon, France. On that day, Denis Pankratov completed the men’s 200m butterfly in 1:55.22, setting the first world record in a Myrtha pool. His time remained the world benchmark for more than five years. More than three decades later, the tally has reached 197. The next opportunities will come during the 2026 World Aquatics Swimming World Cup, with stops in Baku from 1 to 3 October, Tashkent from 8 to 10 October and Astana from 15 to 17 October, all taking place in facilities equipped with Myrtha pools.

With only three more world records needed to reach 200, the next milestone may not be far away. Three decades on, Myrtha pools remain where the world’s fastest swimmers make history.