Boyle world swimming record ratified

FINA, swimming world body, has officially ratified the world record set by Lauren Boyle in August.

Boyle broke the 1500m freestyle world record at the Wellington Winter Regional Short Course Championships in August. She clocked 15:22.68 which was more than four seconds under the previous record held by Spain’s Mareia Belmonte Garcia.

The feat was officially recognised with a special presentation to Boyle in Auckland today.

“This is a magnificent achievement by a remarkable swimmer who continues to inspire all those young swimmers who dare to dream and who are prepared to set goals and work very hard to achieve them,” said Brent Layton, Swimming New Zealand chair.

“Lauren is only the fourth New Zealand swimmer to set a world record and joins an esteemed group.

“She is a world champion, a Commonwealth Games champion and now officially a world record holder and we are sure there are many more plaudits to come.”

New Zealand’s other world record holders in the pool comprise Phillipa Gower (nee Gould) who broke records for the 220 yard backstroke in 1957 and the 110 yards backstroke the following year, both long course.

The other records are short course by Anna Simcic in the 200m backstroke in Paris in 1992 and four records by Danyon Loader who broke the 200m butterfly record three times in eight days in 1993 and the 400m freestyle in 1995, all at FINA World Cup events.

The FINA ratification process included official survey of the Wellington Regional Aquatic Centre pool and doping control.

Boyle is currently preparing for December’s FINA World Short Course Championships in Doha.