Katie Shanahan is writing herself into swimming history

Glasgow's Katie Shanahan is set on writing her name into backstroke history books. The 18-year-old stormed onto the senior international stage when she won silver at the European Championships last year, going on to clinch bronze at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. Ad Fast forward eight months and Shanahan, who recently moved to swim under Steve Tigg at the University of Stirling, smashed her 200m backstroke personal best by over a second at the BUCS Championships in Sheffield.

SwimmingJames Guy replicating buzz of Olympic gold by selling housesAN HOUR AGO It was a swim that cemented her as the fourth-fastest Brit ever in the event. With the ever-impressive Kaylee McKeown of Australia recently powering to a new 200m backstroke world record time of 2:03.14, Shanahan is excited to harness her full potential and one day challenge the Olympic champion. «Kaylee is amazing,» said the journalism and sports science student.

«How she's able to go and break a world record in such a low-key event is really impressive. »Every meet, trials and world champs, things are getting faster and the standards are getting better. «For 200 back, there are so many fast girls in the world at the moment that are swimming fast such as Kaylee or Kylie Masse in Canada.

»It's a really competitive race to be a part of and I'm thrilled to be getting into that mix. «Hopefully in the next few years I'll be able to lay a mark in that event and be one of those big names that go along with it. »I was really happy with that swim in Sheffield, I wasn't expecting to swim that well as I'd just come back from a three-week altitude camp in Arizona.