John Shortt Ready to Dive Into Paris: A New Chapter for Irish Swimming
As the 2026 European Aquatics Championships kick off in Paris this Monday, Ireland sends its largest ever team to the pool. With 27 athletes selected, including 26 swimmers and one diver, the squad is a testament to the quiet, determined momentum building within Irish swimming. Among them is 19 year old John Shortt, a rising star from Galway who embodies the grounded ambition of a new generation.
Shortt, a backstroke specialist, will compete in the 50m, 100m, and 200m events, and may also feature in relay teams. But for him, this championship is not about medals alone. It is about proving that Irish swimming can stand tall among Europe's best, not just as participants but as contenders.
What Drives John Shortt's Focus in Paris?
Shortt speaks with a reflective, almost philosophical tone. He knows the pressure, but he refuses to let it define him. I love winning, he says. But the main thing for me is just to try and be in those finals, give those guys a good scare and keep them on their toes.
This is not false modesty. It is the steady confidence of someone who has learned to manage the weight of expectation. At the European Short Course Championships in Lublin last December, he progressed from heats to finals, handling the pressure with a maturity beyond his years. I think I handled the pressure really well, he recalls. So hopefully if I can put down a good swim in the morning, then it's really just going to be momentum building from there.
How Does This Squad Reflect Ireland's Swimming Growth?
The size of the team is a story in itself. With almost 30 athletes, Shortt notes, It's kind of mad. But it is also a sign of a deeper shift. Irish swimming is no longer just making up the numbers. The focus has turned to competing, to climbing the medal table, to giving supporters at home something to cheer about.
We want people to be seeing an Irish swimmer in every final, Shortt says. That's ultimately the big goal. This sense of collective responsibility runs through the squad. Inspired by established stars like Daniel Wiffen, Mona McSharry, Ellen Walshe, and Tom Fannon, Shortt believes the next generation must now step up. Dan, Mona, Ellen and Tom have been big inspirations for a lot of us, so it's time for us to start pulling our weight as well.
What Does the Future Hold for John Shortt?
For Shortt, Paris is not a final destination. It is a stepping stone. With the 2028 Olympic Games on the horizon, he views this week as another chapter in a longer journey. If I've a bad week, I'm getting back to training in three weeks' time and then we're going again, he says. If I could be challenging for finals and hopefully medals, then we'll know we're in a really good spot for next year.
His focus remains on the 200m backstroke, his strongest event. The 200 back is obviously my main one, he laughs. It's been sort of my baby these days, so hopefully I can make that final and I can't wait to see what kind of time I can throw down.
As the championships unfold, all eyes will be on Paris. But for Shortt, and for Irish swimming, the real story is not just about this week. It is about a quiet, steady rise. A generation ready to pull its weight. And a young man from Galway who knows that the best is yet to come.
Watch the European Swimming Championships from Monday to Sunday with morning and evening sessions on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player.