Kathleen Dawson

View Current photo via Courtesy of Scottish Swimming/Ian MacNicol

Kathleen Dawson became the first Scottish woman under the 1 minute mark in 100 meter backstroke in 2016. She has broken scottish records in all three backstroke events. She is a 2021 Olympian for the United Kingdom.

Dawson trains at Warrington Warriors under head coach Darren Ashley.

Early Career

At her first international meet, Dawson finished with two silvers in 50 and 100 meters backstroke at the 2013 European Junior Championships.

A year later she was the youngest member of team Scotland at the Commonwealth Games. Her best finish came in the 400 meter medley relay where Scotland finished 4th. In her individual events she finished 5th in 50 meter backstroke and 10th in 100 meter backstroke.

Dawson was awarded the Best Female World Ranked Performance at the 2015 Ontario Junior International. She set new scottish records in all three backstroke events picking up a gold, silver and bronze in the 50, 100 and 200 backstroke respectively.

2016 European Championships

After missing out on a spot at her first Olympics, Dawson was selected to represent Great Britain for the first time at a senior international meet. The teenager had an impressive meet, becoming the first Scottish woman under 1:00 as she broke her own record in the semi-final in 59.83 then again in the final in 59.68 en-route to a bronze medal. On the final night, she helped Great Britain to a gold with her lead off leg in the 400 meter medley relay. Dawson also swam 50 and 200 meter backstroke.

2020 European Championships

Dawson shined in Budapest, reaping a total of 4 medals, 3 of them gold. She took her first individual Euro title in the 100 back along with golds in the 400 medley and mixed medley relays. She also earned silver in the 50 back.

International Medals

Place Event Year Meet
Gold 400 Medley Relay 2016 European Championships
Bronze 100 Back 2016 European Championships
Bronze 400 Medley Relay 2018 European Championships
Gold 100 Back 2020 European Championships
Gold 400 Medley Relay 2020 European Championships
Gold 400 Mixed Medley Relay 2020 European Championships
Silver 50 Back 2020 European Championships

Best Times

Course Event Time Date Meet
lcm 50 Back 27.19 05/18/21 2020 European Championships
Budapest, Hungary
lcm 100 Back 58.08 05/23/21 2020 European Championships
Budapest, Hungary
GBR GREAT BRITAIN DAWSON Kathleen RENSHAW Molly STEPHENS Laura HOPKIN Anna 4 x 100 m Medley Women Final Swimming Budapest - Hungary 23/5/2021 Duna Arena XXXV LEN European Aquatic Championships Photo Giorgio Perottino / Deepbluemedia / Insidefoto DAWSON Kathleen GBR Great Britain WOMEN - 100M BACKSTROKE Swimming Budapest - Hungary 21/5/2021 Duna Arena XXXV LEN European Aquatic Championships Photo Giorgio Perottino / Deepbluemedia / Insidefoto DAWSON Kathleen GBR 100 Backstroke Women Final Gold Medal Swimming Budapest - Hungary 21/5/2021 Duna Arena XXXV LEN European Aquatic Championships Photo Andrea Staccioli / Deepbluemedia / Insidefoto Gold Medal DAWSON Kathleen GBR Silver Medal PANZIERA Margherita ITA Bronze Medal KAMENEVA Maria RUS 100m Backstroke Women Swimming Budapest - Hungary 21/5/2021 Duna Arena XXXV LEN European Aquatic Championships Photo Giorgio Perottino / Deepbluemedia / Insidefoto Kathleen Dawson 2017 World Championships Budapest, Hungary (photo: Mike Lewis) Kathleen Dawson 2017 World Championships Budapest, Hungary (photo: Mike Lewis)