In an unusual last-minute roster change for the Summer Olympics, Kate Douglass of the University of Virginia has given up her place in the women’s 100-meter freestyle event to Gretchen Walsh in preparation for this summer Olympics Games in Paris, 2024.
At the US Olympic Trials in June, Douglass won the 100 free in 52.56, which would have placed her sixth overall.
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Walsh, on the other hand, starts as the ninth seed after finishing third in the Olympic Trials in 53.13 seconds.
SEED SWIMMER NATIONALITY TIME FOR SEEDS
1. Siobhan Haughey from Hong Kong 52.02 2. Mollie O’Callaghan from Australia 52.08 3. Sarah Sjostrom from Sweden 52.24 4. Marrit Steenbergern Netherlands 52.26 5. Junxuan Yang, China, 52.68 6. Shayna Jack, Australia, 52.28 7. Marit Steenbergern, Netherlands, 52.26 8. The USA’s Torri Huske 52.9 9. UK’s Anna Hopkin 53.19 10. America’s Gretchen Walsh 53.13 11. Sweden’s Michelle Coleman 53.41
Along with the 50 free, where Walsh finished second at Trials, and the 100 fly, which she won and broke the World Record, it gives Walsh a third solo event.
She may be able to compete in up to three relays, but the mixed medley is always a bit of a mystery, so she will have a lot on her plate at the Olympics and a lot of opportunity to shine.
Walsh barely beat her personal best time of 53.14 seconds in the 100 free, after setting a world record in the 100 fly.
Douglass, on the other hand, now only has to compete in the 200 breaststroke and 200 individual medley relays in addition to swimming in the women’s 400 free relay and foursome.
She was the fastest woman in the 100 free, therefore she would probably be in the winning American mixed medley relay as well. This withdrawal removes a peculiar breast double of 100 free/200.
Given her event schedule, Douglass’ decline is not shocking, but the timing is odd.
The majority of Americans make these event selections far earlier in the process; for example, Katie Ledecky’s 200-free record-breaking performance attracts Erin Gemmell, her old NCAP colleague.
In previous years, USA Swimming may have added the 100 free relay seventh place finisher to the 400 free relay, but authorities specifically closed the regulation loophole for the current Olympic Games.
Catie DeLoof finished in seventh position and lost to her compatriot Erika Connolly in a swim-off to secure a spot on the Olympic team.