Walsh 55.18 Wipes Out 100 ‘Fly World Record In Semi As U.S. Trials Get Underway
Gretchen Walsh clocked 55.18 to shatter the World 100m butterfly World record and book a ticket to lane 4 for her first Paris 2024 target event at on Day 1 at U.S Olympic Trials.
The standard had stood at 55.48 to Sweden’s Sarah Sjostrom since she became her country’s first ever female Olympic champion in the pool at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
The damage was done on the way to the first wall in Indianapolis, Walsh, coached at the University of Virginia by Todd de Sorbo and record-breaking NCAA sprint queen of the s/c yards pool these past two seasons, out in a blistering 25.45.
25.45 – 29.73; 55.18 Walsh 2024
26.01 – 29.47; 55.48 Sjostrom 2016
Walsh, the first to set at World record at U.S trials since 2008, tightened in the closing metres of her phenomenal swim, 200m Olympic medallist Regan Smith catching with every stroke in the last 15m of the second semi, to clock 55.92. The first semi saw Torri Huske set the pace at 55.79. Three women inside 56 into the final, a first in domestic waters anywhere in the world.
Sjostrom was among the first to congratulate Walsh, one of her social-media posts noting: “Hate to disappoint fans who send me DM:S like “You will take that record back again soon (strong-arm, emoji)” – That Ain’s Gonna Happen (lol, grandma, heart emojis) … 🙂
The race video shows the great swim and the celebration for the world record. Next test: energy and emotional management on the way to the only moment that matters at trials.
It also highlights an astonishing aspect of Walsh’s flexibility and technique, as highlight by Great Britain and Loughborough coach Dave Hemmings when suggesting Walsh can rio quicker still:
Huske had held the American record at 55.64 since Budapest Word titles in 2022. Alex Shackell was the next and last through to the final under 57, on 56.78. The lower half of the field in the final ranged from Claire Curzan‘s 57.24 to 57.97.
Qualifiers:
Sjöström’s High Five – World record Progression – Women’s 100m Butterfly
| 56.44 | sf | Sarah Sjöström | SWE | 26 Jul 2009 | World Championships | Rome |
| 56.06 | Sjöström | SWE | 27 Jul 2009 | World Championships | Rome | |
| 55.98 | Dana Vollmer | USA | 29 Jul 2012 | Olympic Games | London | |
| 55.74 | sf | Sjöström | SWE | 2 Aug 2015 | World Championships | Kazan |
| 55.64 | Sjöström | SWE | 3 Aug 2015 | World Championships | Kazan | |
| 55.48 | Sjöström | SWE | 7 Aug 2016 | Olympic Games | Rio de Janeiro | |
| 55.18 | sf | Gretchen Walsh | USA | 15 Jun 2024 | 2024 USA Olympic trials | Indianapolis |
US. Trials Finals – Indianapolis – Day 1
Ledecky Checks In To Third Olympic 400m Free Fight
Katie Ledecky, the 2016 Olympic champion and 2020ne silver medallist, checked into her third 400m freestyle campaign with a U.S. Trials record of 3:58.35.
As has been the case for many years, Ledecky, coached by Anthony Nesty at the Gators in Florida, swam a lonely race as she swam a controlled eight lengths on he first day of a big program over nine days: 56.89; 1:57.18; 2:58.54; 3:58.35.
That compares to the world-record rattling 3:55.44 of Ariarne Titmus when she booked into the defence of the Olympic crown on the opening night at Australian Trials this past week in Brisbane.
Said Ledecky: “I keep track of everything that’s going on around the world… Ariarne is incredible – what she did last week, and what Summer’s done… It’s going to be a really fast field and I’m looking forward to it.”
Next home was Paige Madden for the second ticket to the Paris Games in the 400m, on 4:02.08. Jillian Cox took third in 4:06.89 and then the pace faded to 4:08 and over.
On making her fourth Olympic Team, Ledecky said: “It’s special. I remember three years ago just trying to process being a three-time Olympian, and now being a four, I just tried to enjoy each moment tonight. It was pretty exciting this morning just to feel the atmosphere, kind of get those first race jitters out of the way.”
In the era of a living legend and the kind of depth on show in the 100m butterfly above, its strange to think that Ledecky’s magnetism has not drawn more Americans down towards the 4-minute mark in all this time.
Aaron Shackell & Kieren Smith Leads 5-Way 400 Battle
The race of the first day of trials unfolded in the men’s 400m freestyle, the Paris tickets going to Aaron Shackell, of Carmel Swim Club, and Kieren Smith in a pair of 3:45s, David Johnston, Bobby Finke, 18-year-old Luke Whitlock and Jake Magahey locked out on 3:46s in a five-way battle.
On making his first Olympic Team, Shackell, coached by Chris Plumb at Carmel, said: “I think it’s just a moment I’ve always dreamed of. Watching previous Olympic Trials, or really any sport, getting a medal in front of a massive crowd is something I’ve always dreamed of. Then raising my hands and everyone cheering, that’s a moment that every kid dreams about.”
Here’s how it went:
Men’s 100m breaststroke Semis:
