Lauren Cox Breaks British Record in 50 Backstroke at AP Race International
Midway through the first day of finals at the AP Race International Meet, Lauren Cox produced a British record in the 50-meter backstroke. Touching the wall in 27.15 at the London Aquatic Centre, the site of the 2012 Olympic Games, Cox shaved .04 off the previous British standard, belonging to Kathleen Dawson at 27.19 since 2021.
Cox’s previous best was the 27.20 she recorded on the way to the bronze medal at the 2023 edition of the World Championships in Fukuoka. In her record-setting effort, Cox earned a comfortable decision over Belgium’s Roos vanotterdijk, who went 27.81 to equal her national record from Stockholm earlier this year.
The 50-meter stroke events have taken on greater emphasis since the International Olympic Committee announced earlier this year that the sprint disciplines will make their Olympic debuts at the 2028 Games in Los Angeles. For a speed athlete like Cox, the addition of the 50-meter strokes enables her to contest her prime events on the biggest stage.
Cox was the champion of the 50 backstroke at the recent British Championships and will compete in her specialty at this summer’s World Championships in Singapore.