Gretchen Walsh sets new record at U.S. Trials but is she going to Paris 2024?

With a sensational performance in the 100-meter butterfly, the 21-year-old has secured her place in the History books, but it will all be for naught - to some at least - if she’s unable to qualify for the coming Olympic Games. Indeed, the very idea of it seems silly.

Gretchen Walsh breaks 100-meter butterfly record

On Saturday night, Gretchen Walsh made History when she broke the world record in the women’s 100-meter butterfly semifinals on the opening night of the U.S. trials. With a time of 55.18, Walsh overtook the mark previously set by Swedish sprinter Sarah Sjöström who recorded a time of 55.48, a standard that has stood since the 2016 Olympics. To be clear, this was the first time that a world record has been broken at the U.S. Olympic trials since Michael Phelps set a new record in the 200-individual medley in 2008.

Yet, it’s not all flowers and podiums for Walsh as she must still secure a spot on the Olympic team, something she will be tasked with doing on Sunday night in the 100-fly final. That said, Walsh made it clear that whether she’s able to qualify for her first Olympic Games or not, she will rest easy. “I’m gonna be at peace with the fact that I’ve already accomplished so much at this meet, more than I ever thought I would,” she said.

The journey of Gretchen Walsh is worth knowing

A standout at the University of Virginia, Walsh literally rewrote the NCAA record books as a junior this past season. That said, her performances were questioned with many regarding her as a short-course talent rather than a long-course. “Everyone always says I’m just a bathtub swimmer,” she said back in November in reference to her reputation in 25-yard pools as opposed to 50-meter pools which are the international standard. “An entirely different beast for me,” she acknowledged on Saturday.

Of course, things have changed in recent years for Walsh as she has clearly conquered the ‘beast’ that she referred to, following an extensive training regimen provided by her Virginia group. “I’ve spent a lot of training focusing on the 100 fly specifically,” she stated on Saturday. “So, to have it translate into the real pool, some would say, really goes to show that [training] is paying off.” Interestingly, Walsh’s coach, Todd DeSorbo, has reportedly told her on numerous occasions that a world record for her was “just a matter of time.” Needless to say, that time came a lot quicker than anyone could have imagined, including Walsh herself. “I did not know that I was gonna go 55.1 and break the world record,” Walsh said. “It doesn’t feel real.” Indeed, Walsh admitted that just being compared to the now-30-year-old Sjöström “is insane.”

Unsurprisingly, Walsh went on to admit that she will need some time to process the milestone that she achieved. “It’s definitely an emotional night,” she said before adding “I’m gonna put my phone down tonight, and just let it be, and hopefully get a good night’s rest.” Truth be told, she will need the rest as she has still not qualified for the Olympics and by all accounts is not a favorite to do so. So, with that in mind, her focus will have to quickly turn from her accomplishment to what she must now do on Sunday night in the 100-fly final. “Just get a spot on the team...because that’s really what I came here to do.”