Gretchen Walsh followed up her world record in the 100-meter butterfly with another significant achievement: securing her first trip to the Olympics. Despite not matching her record-setting time from the semifinals, Walsh’s performance was enough to clinch the coveted Olympic berth amidst a fiercely competitive field at the U.S. Olympic swimming trials on Sunday.
In the final, Walsh clocked in at 55.31 seconds, slightly slower than her semifinal record of 55.18, which had broken the previous world record held by Sweden’s Sarah Sjöström since the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics. Even with three Tokyo Games medalists in the mix, Walsh remained unfazed. She maintained the same aggressive strategy as the semifinals, leading strong from the start and holding her pace through the turn.
The 21-year-old Nashville native, who swims for the University of Virginia, achieved the second-fastest time in history with her final swim. Torri Huske secured the second Olympic spot with a time of 55.52, making her the third-fastest woman ever in the event. “I couldn’t ask for a better start to the meet,” Walsh said, reflecting on her remarkable performance.
Regan Smith, who became the fourth-fastest female ever with a time of 55.62, finished third, narrowly missing out on an Olympic spot. Despite the disappointment, Smith will have additional opportunities later in the trials to qualify for the Paris Olympics.
The night also saw a new first-time Olympian in the men’s 400-meter individual medley. Carson Foster outpaced Tokyo gold medalist Chase Kalisz to win the event. Foster, a 22-year-old from Cincinnati who swims for the University of Texas, led the race from start to finish, clocking in at 4 minutes, 7.64 seconds.
Kalisz, aiming to defend his Olympic title in Paris, took the runner-up spot to secure the expected second American slot. Kalisz made a significant push during the breaststroke leg, closing the gap to just a tenth of a second, but the 30-year-old veteran couldn’t keep pace with the younger Foster in the freestyle leg, finishing with a time of 4:09.39. Jay Litherland, the silver medalist in the 400 IM at Tokyo, missed out on his third Olympics with a third-place finish, clocking in at 4:12.34 after fading in the final stretch.
Gretchen Walsh’s journey to her first Olympics is a testament to her dedication and talent. Her world-record performance in the semifinals showcased her potential, and her follow-up in the finals confirmed her status as one of the sport’s rising stars. Competing against some of the world’s best swimmers, Walsh’s ability to maintain her form and focus under pressure was impressive.
Her training at the University of Virginia has clearly paid off, with coaches and teammates supporting her development into an elite swimmer. Walsh’s strong start and consistent pacing throughout her races demonstrate her strategic approach and physical endurance, qualities that will be crucial as she prepares for the Olympic stage.
Carson Foster’s victory in the 400 IM is another highlight of the U.S. Olympic swimming trials. Foster’s commanding performance from the outset showed his determination and readiness for the international competition. Leading throughout the race, he demonstrated his prowess in all four strokes, particularly shining in the freestyle leg where he pulled away from Kalisz.
Foster’s time of 4:07.64 not only earned him his first Olympic berth but also highlighted his potential to be a strong contender in Paris. His ability to handle the pressure and maintain his lead against seasoned Olympians like Kalisz speaks volumes about his composure and competitive spirit.
As the trials continue, swimmers like Regan Smith and Jay Litherland will have more opportunities to secure their spots on the U.S. Olympic team. Smith, despite her third-place finish in the 100-meter butterfly, remains one of the top swimmers to watch, with multiple events still ahead. Litherland, who missed out on the 400 IM, will also aim to qualify in other events, bringing his experience and resilience to each race.
For Gretchen Walsh and Carson Foster, their recent victories are just the beginning. With their spots secured, the focus will now shift to training and preparation for the Olympics. Both swimmers have demonstrated their ability to compete at the highest level, and their performances at the trials have set the stage for what promises to be an exciting journey to Paris 2024.
