Indianapolis, Indiana – The 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials saw intense competition in the Women’s 100 Butterfly semi-finals as swimmers vied for a spot in the finals. The stage was set with previous records to beat, including the World Record held by Sarah Sjostrom from Sweden at 55.48 seconds. American swimmer Torri Huske set an American Record of 55.64 seconds at the 2022 World Championships and the U.S. Open Record of 55.66 seconds at the 2021 U.S. Olympic Trials.
The top performers in the semi-finals included Gretchen Walsh with a new World Record time of 55.18 seconds, followed by Torri Huske at 55.79 seconds and Regan Smith at 55.92 seconds. Other swimmers who qualified for the finals included Alex Shackell, Claire Curzan, Emma Sticklen, Beata Nelson, and Kelly Pash. The 2024 Olympic Qualifying Time was noted at 57.92 seconds.
Following her impressive performance, Gretchen Walsh received overwhelming support and recognition from the swimming community. Walsh expressed her own disbelief at breaking the World Record and humbly acknowledged her competitors’ achievements. The former World Record holder, Sarah Sjostrom, also congratulated Walsh on her feat and expressed her own contentment with her current focus on other events.
Despite her success in the 100 Butterfly, Sjostrom has shifted her focus towards the 50 free and 50 fly events, both of which she holds World Records in. Last summer, Sjostrom and Walsh competed against each other multiple times, with Sjostrom emerging victorious in all encounters. Dana Vollmer, a former American and World Record Holder, was also present at the event, showing her support for the swimmers.
The competition between Sjostrom and Walsh added excitement to the sporting event, with spectators eagerly awaiting their showdowns. Both swimmers displayed exceptional skill and sportsmanship throughout their races, leaving a lasting impression on the audience. With the anticipation building for the finals, fans are eager to witness the culmination of this thrilling competition at the U.S. Olympic Trials in Indianapolis.