Indianapolis, Indiana – The first day of the USA Swimming Olympic Trials at Lucas Oil Stadium showcased remarkable performances and set the stage for the upcoming events.
A highlight of the day was University of Virginia’s Gretchen Walsh breaking the world record in the 100-meter butterfly semifinals with a time of 55.18 seconds. Walsh’s impressive swim placed her in contention for a spot at the Paris Olympics, alongside Torri Huske and Regan Smith who also swam under 56 seconds.
Another standout moment came when 19-year-old Aaron Shackell from Carmel, Indiana, secured his spot on the Olympic team by winning the 400-meter freestyle in 3:45.46. Shackell’s jubilant celebration, including slapping the water and spiking his goggles, captured the excitement of the competition.
Attendance at Lucas Oil Stadium reached a record-breaking 20,689 for an indoor swim competition, surpassing the levels seen at the 2016 Rio Olympics. The atmosphere was electric as swimmers like Katie Ledecky made history by becoming the oldest American woman to swim a distance freestyle at the Olympics at the age of 27.
As the competition continues, Sunday night’s finals promise more thrilling swims, with athletes like Carmel’s Kelly Pash and Indiana University’s Josh Matheny set to compete. The stakes are high as swimmers aim to secure their spots in the upcoming events and represent their country on the world stage.
Overall, Day 1 of the USA Swimming Olympic Trials delivered on its promise of excitement and world-class performances, setting the stage for what promises to be a memorable event leading up to the Paris Olympics.