Gretchen Walsh Smashes World Record at U.S. Olympic Trials in Women’s 100-Meter Butterfly

In a historic moment, Gretchen Walsh set a new world record in the women’s 100-meter butterfly at the U.S. Olympic Trials, surpassing the previous mark set by Swedish sprinter Sarah Sjöström. The 21-year-old athlete clocked in at an astonishing 55.18 seconds during the event’s semifinals, outperforming Torri Huske and Regan Smith. This remarkable achievement marks the first time that a world record has been set at the U.S. Olympic Trials since Michael Phelps in 2008.

Reflecting on her record-breaking performance, Walsh expressed her disbelief and excitement at becoming the new world record-holder. She acknowledged the competitive field and the challenge ahead in securing her spot on the 2024 Olympic team, with strong performances expected from her rivals. With her dominance in this event, Walsh will need to maintain her form in the final round to secure her place in Paris’ upcoming Olympics.

Following an impressive NCAA swimming season where she set record times in multiple events, Gretchen Walsh has emerged as a potential breakout star in the sport alongside her sister Alex at the University of Virginia and their teammate Kate Douglass who also has Olympic experience. Together they represent a formidable force in the swimming world, setting them up for future success on both national and international stages.