Gretchen Walsh made history in an Olympic year by breaking the women’s world record in the 100-meter butterfly at the U.S. Olympic Trials. Surpassing Swedish sprinter Sarah Sjöström’s previous record, Walsh clocked in at 55.18 seconds during the event’s semifinals. This remarkable achievement took place at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, where she outperformed Torri Huske and Regan Smith.
The victory marked the first world record to be 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. The 21-year-old athlete acknowledged the competitive field and the challenge ahead in securing her spot on the 2024 Olympic team. With strong performances expected from her rivals, Walsh will need to maintain her dominance in the final round to secure her place in the upcoming Olympics in Paris.
Following an impressive NCAA swimming season, where she set record times in multiple events, Walsh has emerged as a potential breakout star in the sport. Competing alongside her sister Alex at the University of Virginia, who has her own Olympic accomplishments, the Walsh sisters have demonstrated their talent on the national and international stage
