How many records does Gretchen Walsh have? Everything about her achievements as she breaks the Olympic record at Paris Olympics

By Marie Amani

Modified Jul 27, 2024 20:16 GMT

Gretchen Walsh is one of the most talented swimmers ever witnessed on U.S. soil and she continues to amaze the whole world with her talent. Walsh is competing in her first Olympic Games in Paris, France.

Walsh qualified for the Paris Olympics 2024 following her impressive performance at the U.S. Olympic swimming trials. She won the women’s long course 100m butterfly and has been off to a great start in her Olympic campaign.

Walsh finished second in 56.75 in her respective heat in the preliminaries before dominating the first semifinal in 55.38, a new Olympic record in the distance. The 21-year-old now heads to the final with much-needed confidence to go for a podium finish.

#3 National records

Gretchen Walsh in action at the Olympic Games Paris 2024: Day 1 - Source: Getty

Walsh was impressive at the 2024 NCAA Championships as she went on a streak to set national records. The young swimming talent won seven events, setting national records in the 50-yard freestyle, and the 100-yard backstroke.

On the opening day of the event, she set the 50-yard freestyle world record in 20.37 before becoming the first woman to break the 48-second barrier at the event in the 100-m-yard butterfly.

She was also impressive on the last day of the tournament, becoming the first woman to break the 45-second barrier in the 100-yard freestyle which she won in 44.83. However, the two records were obliterated at the U.S. Olympic trials.

She also set other national records in the relays including the 4x50yd freestyle relay, and the 4x100yd medley relay.

#2 World records

Gretchen Walsh Swimming at the Olympic Games Paris 2024: Source: Getty

Just at 21, Gretchen Walsh has already cemented her place as one of the greatest swimmers in the world. After her delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games setback, the American meant business as she headed to the U.S. Olympic trials.

Walsh was dominant at the trials, setting the world record in the 100m butterfly in 55.18 seconds, shattering the previous record of 55.48 set by Sarah Sjostrom at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.

Gretchen Walsh was also part of the U.S. relay team that holds the world junior records in the 4x100m mixed relay and the 4x100m mixed freestyle relay events.

#2 NCAA records

Gretchen Walsh Swimming - Olympic Games Paris 2024: Source: Getty

Walsh has been dominant in her collegiate career, setting records in almost all events she has competed in. However, the records are not long-standing and are bound to be broken by upcoming talent

She currently holds the 50-yard freestyle, the 100-yard freestyle, and the 100-yard butterfly NCAA records.

#1 Olympic record

Gretchen Walsh Swimming - Olympic Games Paris 2024: Source: Getty

After her Olympic Games debut in Paris, Walsh broke Sarah Sjostrom's Olympic record, clocking a time of 55.38 to qualify for the finals. She is a favorite to win the gold medal for the U.S. in the event.

She will be in contention for a medal in the women’s final scheduled for Sunday and might just stun the world with a new world record.