John Shortt (born 7 February 2007) is an Irish competitive swimmer specialising in backstroke. He is a double gold medallist at the 2025 World Aquatics Junior Swimming Championships and holds multiple Irish national records.
Career Shortt began swimming with Bluefin Swimming Club in Kilcornan, Clarinbridge, before joining the National Centre Limerick. He first gained international recognition at the 2024 European Junior Swimming Championships in Vilnius, Lithuania, where he won gold in the 200 m backstroke (1:57.68) and silver in the 100 m backstroke (54.74).
In 2025, Shortt competed at the senior World Aquatics Championships in Singapore, finishing 15th in the 200 m backstroke (1:57.30) and 26th in the 100 m backstroke (54.26).
At the 2025 World Aquatics Junior Swimming Championships in Otopeni, Romania, Shortt had a breakout performance, winning the 100-metre/200-metre backstroke double, along with the bronze medal in the 50-metre backstroke.: Gold, 100 m backstroke: 53.86 seconds; Gold, 200 m backstroke: 1:56.19, setting both a new Irish senior and junior record Bronze, 50 m backstroke: 25.06 seconds He became only the second Irish swimmer to win a World Junior title, following Mona McSharry in 2017.
Personal bests + Long course (50 m pool) Event Time Date Location 50 m backstroke 25.01 20 March 2026 Paris, France 100 m backstroke 53.17 NR 9 April 2026 Bangor, Ireland 200 m backstroke 1:55.31 NR 11 August 2026 Paris, France
Personal life Shortt was born in Galway and attended Calasanctius College.
References
External links John Shortt profile at World Aquatics