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.
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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 life
Shortt was born in Galway and attended Calasanctius College.