Tokyo, Japan – American swimmers Katie Grimes, Ryan Murphy, and Lilly King are poised to contribute to Team USA’s growing medal count in swimming. With seven medals already in hand, the trio is gearing up for their next events at the Tokyo Games.
At just 18 years old, Grimes is set to make history with her ambitious attempt at a pool-open water double in the 400m individual medley. Having secured a runner-up finish at the 2023 Worlds, Grimes faces tough competition from Canadian swimmer Summer McIntosh, the current world record-holder and a strong contender in Paris. Notably, no female swimmer has ever achieved a medal in both pool and open water events at the Olympics—an achievement Grimes hopes to accomplish with the 10km open water race on August 8.
Meanwhile, the men’s 100m backstroke event is expected to be a closely contested battle between Ryan Murphy, the gold medalist from Rio, and Italy’s Thomas Ceccon, the reigning world champion. Murphy, aiming to make history as the first swimmer to win six individual backstroke medals, edged out Ceccon by a slim margin at the 2023 Worlds. The rivalry between these two champions adds an exciting element to the competition.
In her potentially final Olympic appearance, Lilly King, the world record-holder and 2016 gold medalist in the 100m breaststroke, is vying for another shot at glory. Despite finishing fourth in the 2022 and 2023 Worlds, she remains a formidable contender in Tokyo. With the absence of the 2023 world champion, King faces stiff competition from China’s Tang Qianting, a rising star in the sport.
As the action heats up in the 200m freestyles, Romanian sensation David Popovici leads the men’s field, while Australian swimmers Mollie O’Callaghan and Ariarne Titmus are set to showcase their talents in the women’s competition. The stage is set for thrilling races and potential record-breaking performances as these athletes aim for Olympic glory in the pool.