2024 Paris Olympics: Day 2 Finals Live Recap

2024 PARIS SUMMER OLYMPIC GAMES

• Pool Swimming: July 27 – August 4, 2024
  • Open Water Swimming: August 8 – 9, 2024
• La Défense Arena — Paris, France
• LCM (50 meters)
• Meet Central
• Full Swimming Schedule
• SwimSwam Preview Index
• Pick ’em Contest
• How To Watch
• Entry Lists
• Live Results
• Prelims Live Recaps: Day 1 | Day 2
• Finals Live Recaps: Day 1

Day 2 Finals Heat Sheet

Welcome to the second finals session of the 2024 Paris Olympics. Tonight could be a coronation for France’s Leon Marchand, who is in position to claim the first Olympic title of his career in the men’s 400 IM after qualifying first this morning. It’s individual events all the way down tonight, including two other medal finals.

Day 1 Finals Schedule

• Men’s 400 IM final — top seed: Leon Marchand (FRA) — 4:08.30
  
• Women’s 100 butterfly final — top seed: Gretchen Walsh (USA) — 55.38
• Men’s 200 freestyle semifinals — top seed: David Popovici (ROU) — 1:45.65
• Women’s 100 breaststroke semifinals — top seed: Tatjana Smith (née Schoenmaker) — 1:05.00
• Men’s 100 backstroke semifinals — top seed: Hubert Kos (HUN) — 52.78
• Men’s 100 breaststroke final — top seed: Adam Peaty (GBR) — 58.86
• Women’s 200 freestyle semifinals — top seed: Mollie O’Callaghan (AUS) — 1:55.79

This will be Marchand’s second Olympic final. Three years ago, he placed 6th in 4:11.16. Now, he enters as the world record holder, having broken Michael Phelps‘ legendary record last summer. Here, he has the opportunity to take aim at Phelps’ Olympic record, set 16 years ago in Beijing. If Marchand is on, he is the favorite to win this race. It will be a completely new podium compared to Tokyo as none of the medalists return. This could be the U.S.’s Carson Foster‘s opportunity to earn his first Olympic medal, Japan’s Daiya Seto‘s chance for redemption, or Great Britain’s Max Litchfield. The field was very close this morning — there was a three-way tie for 6th — but even if Marchand cruises out ahead, expect an exciting race for silver and bronze.

The women’s 100 butterfly also features the world record holder, as Gretchen Walsh broke the Olympic record in semifinals for the #3 time in history. She was the only swimmer to post a 55-point swim in semifinals, but don’t let that distract you from the fact that this heat is stacked. Besides Walsh, this heat includes the reigning Olympic champion (Maggie MacNeil), the 2022 World champion (Torri Huske), the 2023 World champion (Zhang Yufei), and the 2024 World champion (Angelina Köhler). There’s also Mizuki Hirai, only 17-years-old, who could play disruptor out of lane 1.

The last final tonight is the men’s 100 breaststroke, with the familiar sight of Adam Peaty in the middle of the pool. The world record holder and two-time defending champion doesn’t look as dominant as he once was, but the rest of the field hasn’t thrown down any eye-popping times, either. It looks like his biggest challenger will be Qin Haiyang, but neither man swam to their potential through the rounds. Will it be a Three-Peaty or Qin for the win?

There’s also a slew of semifinals on tap tonight, starting with the men’s 200 free. Only two men broke 1:46 this morning, the faster of which was David Popovici. Since making his Olympic debut at 16 three years ago, the Romanian swimmer has become the fastest textile performer in the 200 free. Prelims times were relatively sleepy this morning, so it’s unclear who is on-form here. Some major contenders could include Tokyo silver medalist Duncan Scott, 2023 World champion Matt Richards, and 2024 World champion Hwang Sunwoo.

The women’s 100 breaststroke is without its defending champion, but the silver medalist Tatjana Smith (née Schoenmaker) and bronze medalist Lilly King will compete tonight. Smith set the Olympic record in semis three years ago and looked strong in the heats, so keep an eye out for her in the second semi. Tang Qianting, the fastest woman this season, leads the first semifinal.

Hubert Kos popped a new Hungarian record in prelims in the men’s 100 backstroke, but expect the field to be a lot faster in this session. Five of the ten fastest men of all-time fill out this field, including world record holder Thomas Ceccon, Tokyo bronze medalist Ryan Murphy, Xu Jiayu, and Apostolos Christou.

Finally, the semifinals of the women’s 200 free will wrap up this session. Reigning Olympic champion and world record holder Ariarne Titmus looked calm through prelims, sitting in a deceptive 3rd. That means she’ll swim side-by-side with domestic rival Mollie O’Callaghan, who posted the top time of the morning. Siobhan Haughey and Yang Junxuan will swim on the opposite side of O’Callaghan, giving us a potential preview of the medal contenders come the final tomorrow.

Men’s 400-Meter Individual Medley – Finals

• World Record: 4:02.50 – Leon Marchand, FRA (2023)
• World Junior Record: 4:10.02 – Ilya Borodin, RUS (2021)
• Olympic Record: 4:03.84 – Michael Phelps, USA (2008)
• 2021 Winning Time: 4:09.42 – Chase Kalisz, USA
• 2021 Bronze Medal Time: 4:10.38

1. Leon Marchand (France) – 4:02.95 Olympic Record
2. Tomoyuki Matsushita (Japan) – 4:08.62
3. Carson Foster (USA) – 4:08.66
4. Max Litchfield (Great Britain) – 4:08.85 British Record
5. Alberto Razzetti (Italy) – 4:09.38
6. Lewis Clareburt (New Zealand) – 4:10.44
7. Daiya Seto (Japan) – 4:11.78
8. Cedric Buessing (Germany) – 4:17.16

Leon Marchand erased Michael Phelps‘ Olympic record from 2008, scorching the #2 performance of all time and earning France’s first Olympic medal in this event ever.

It was all Marchand from start to finish, as he ultimately built nearly a six second lead over the field. He opened in 54.32 on the fly leg and didn’t look back, posting the fastest splits the first three strokes.

By the halfway mark, it was clear the race for the gold medal was between Marchand and the clock, but the minor medals were still up for grabs.

Like he did in prelims, Daiya Seto blasted a strong butterfly leg to ride in second. He continued to hold the silver medal position through the 250, where he was passed by Carson Foster. Only 0.65-seconds separated 2nd through 4th going into the freestyle leg, as these men had to dig deep to secure their finish position.

Like he did in prelims, Great Britain’s Max Litchfield starting rapidly making up distance as he dropped the fastest 50 of the field (29.23). Carson Foster looked like he might fall off the pace as he was only 30.22, but it was Japan’s Tomoyuki Matsushita who was the surprise of the race, as he blasted a 27.67 closing 50 to rise from 5th to silver. Foster hung on for bronze, giving the American men their first individual medal of the Games.

Women’s 100-Meter Butterfly – Finals

• World Record: 55.18 – Gretchen Walsh, USA (2024)
• World Junior Record: 56.43 – Claire Curzan, USA (2021)
• Olympic Record: 55.38 – Gretchen Walsh, USA (2024)
• 2021 Winning Time: 55.59 – Maggie MacNeil, CAN
• 2021 Bronze Medal Time: 55.72

1. Torri Huske (USA) – 55.59
2. Gretchen Walsh (USA) – 55.63
3. Zhang Yufei (China) – 56.21
4. Angelina Köhler (Germany) – 56.42
5. Maggie MacNeil (Canada) – 56.44
6. Emma McKeon (Australia) – 56.93
7. Mizuki Hirai (Japan) – 57.19
8. Louise Hansson (Sweden) – 57.34

It was a stacked heat in the women’s 100 fly, and while the times weren’t fireworks as predicted, it was still a thrilling race.

Unsurprisingly, world record holder Gretchen Walsh was out quick, turning in 25.40. So was Zhang Yufei, just 0.02-seconds behind. Torri Huske opened two-tenths slower, but was still in 3rd at the halfway mark.

The only other woman under 26-seconds was Tokyo champion Maggie MacNeil, who split 25.94. But as a swimmer known for her back-half, she couldn’t be counted out yet.

The top three were set at the 50; the only thing that would change is the finish order.

Huske charged down the stretch, posting the only 29-second closing split to pass both Zhang and Walsh and hit the wall first. In Tokyo she missed the podium by just one-hundredth of a second. Walsh touched just 0.04-seconds behind, earning her first individual Olympic medal.

That gives the American women their first individual gold and silver of the meet. Check out a visualization of the race below.

Men’s 200-Meter Freestyle – Semifinals

• World Record: 1:42.00 – Paul Biedermann, GER (2009)
• World Junior Record: 1:42.97 – David Popovici, ROU (2022)
• Olympic Record: 1:42.96 – Michael Phelps, USA (2008)
• 2021 Winning Time: 1:44.22 – Tom Dean, GBR
• 2021 Time to Advance to Finals: 1:45.71

1. David Popovici (Romania) – 1:44.53
2. Duncan Scott (Great Britain) – 1:44.94
3. Luke Hobson (USA) – 1:45.19
4. Lukas Märtens (Germany) – 1:45.36
5. Maximillian Giuliani (Australia) – 1:45.37
6. Danas Rapsys (Lithuania) – 1:45.48
7. Matt Richards (Great Britain) – 1:45.63
8. Katsuhiro Matsumoto (Japan) – 1:45.88

After only two 1:45-second swims this morning, all eyes were on what the men would throw down in these semis.

Hwang Sunwoo jumped out to an early lead in the first semifinal, flanked by Matt Richards and Lukas Märtens. Hwang continued to lead through the 100 mark, but was surpassed by #2 seed Danas Rapsys, Richards, and Märtens at the 150. It looked like it was Rapsys race to lose, but from lane 6 Luke Hobson started accelerating. The American dropped the fastest closing split of the field (26.52) to touch first, improving his prelims time by over a second (1:45.19).

Hobson staged an impressive comeback in that race, as he was 8th, 6th, 5th, and finally 1st at each of the walls.

Märtens also posted a 26-point closing 50 to pull past Rapsys (1:45.36) who settled for 3rd (1:45.48).

The second semifinal was less dramatic, as David Popovici led from start to finish (1:44.53). Tokyo silver medalist Duncan Scott joined him under 1:45, and the pair will swim side-by-side in tomorrow’s final.

Women’s 100-Meter Breaststroke – Semifinals

• World Record: 1:04.13 – Lilly King, USA (2017)
• World Junior Record: 1:04.35 – Ruta Meilutyte, LTU (2013)
• Olympic Record: 1:04.82 – Tatjana Smith (Schoenmaker), RSA (2021)
• 2021 Winning Time: 1:04.95 – Lydia Jacoby, USA
• 2021 Time to Advance to Finals: 1:06.59

1. Tajana Smith (South Africa) – 1:05.00
2. Mona McSharry (Ireland) – 1:05.51 Irish Record
3. Lilly King (USA) – 1:05.64
4. Tang Qianting (China) – 1:05.83
5. Alina Zmushka (AIN) – 1:05.93
6. Angharad Evans (Great Britain) – 1:05.99
7. Benedetta Pilato (Italy) – 1:06.12
8. Eneli Jefimova (Estonia) – 1:06.23

Tang Qianting was exactly two-tenths back of her prelims time, but still won the first semifinal (1:05.83). Italy’s Benedetta Pilato was first to the 50, but both Tang and neutral athlete Alina Zmushka (1:05.93) closed on her to finish 1-2. Both Zmushka and Pilato dropped from their prelims swims, with Zmushka dipping into 1:05 territory.

Pilato was disqualified in this event in Tokyo during prelims for an alternating kick violation, and now will swim her first Olympic final.

There were four more 1:05s posted in the second semifinal. The first came from Tatjana Smith who led from start to finish to equal her prelims time (1:05.00). Across the entire field, she had the best closing speed and the 3rd fastest opening speed. That bodes well for her chances at topping the podium tomorrow night.

Ireland’s Mona McSharry shaved four-hundredths of a second off her Irish record, hitting 1:05.51 behind Smith. World record holder Lilly King clocked 1:05.64, dropping about half-a-second from her prelims effort. She earned bronze in Tokyo.

Men’s 100-Meter Backstroke – Semifinals

• World Record: 51.60 – Thomas Ceccon, ITA (2022)
• World Junior Record: 52.34 – Miron Lifintsev, RUS (2024)
• Olympic Record: 51.85 – Ryan Murphy, USA (2016)
• 2021 Winning Time: 51.98 – Evgeny Rylov, ROC
• 2021 Time to Advance to Finals: 53.20

1. Xu Jiayu (China) – 52.02
2. Thomas Ceccon (Italy) – 52.58
3. Yohann Ndoye-Brouard (France)/Pieter Coetze – 52.63 (TIE)
4. —
5. Ryan Murphy (USA) – 52.72
6. Apostolos Christou (Greece) – 52.77
7. Oliver Morgan (Great Britain) – 52.85
8. Hugo Gonzalez (Spain) – 52.95

After a sleepy prelims, every athlete in the first semifinal dropped from their prelims times.

The first heat was spearheaded by world record holder Thomas Ceccon, who clocked 52.58 to touch just ahead of Frenchman Yohann Ndoye-Brouard and South African Pieter Coetze (52.63). Coetze’s performance represented a new African record, breaking his own standard from 2023.

American Ryan Murphy settled for 4th (52.72). He was out in 5th, but matched Coetze’s closing speed on the back-half to rise one place.

Xu Jiayu briefly put us on world record watch in the second semi, as he flipped under Ceccon’s pace. While he couldn’t keep it up down the stretch, he still blew away his heat with a 52.02. Greece’s Apostolos Christou held 2nd the entire race, while Great Britain’s Oliver Morgan showed strong closing speed to pull into 3rd at the finish.

After a head-turning 46.75 flying split on last night’s 4×100 free relay, Team USA’s Hunter Armstrong couldn’t quite put it together, finishing 5th in the heat in 53.11. Hubert Kos also missed the final, falling short of his prelims Hungarian record.

MEN’S 100-Meter BREASTSTROKE – Finals

• World Record: 56.88 – Adam Peaty, GBR (2019)
• World Junior Record:  59.01 – Nicolo Martinenghi, ITA (2017)
• Olympic Record: 57.13 – Adam Peaty, GBR  (2016)
• 2021 Winning Time: 57.37 – Adam Peaty, GBR
• 2021 Bronze Medal Time: 58.33

1. Nicolo Martinenghi (Italy) – 59.03
2. Adam Peaty (Great Britain)/Nic Fink (USA) – 59.05 (TIE)
3. —
4. Melvin Imoudu (Germany) – 59.11
5. Lucas Matzerath (Germany) – 59.30
6. Arno Kamminga (Netherlands) – 59.32
7. Qin Haiyang (China) – 59.50
8. Caspar Corbeau (Netherlands) – 59.98

With the two fastest men in history seeded 1-2 in this final, it seemed the race would be between Adam Peaty and Qin Haiyang. Peaty was gunning for the three-peat after earning the Rio and Tokyo titles, while Qin took aim at his first individual Olympic medal.

But there was no three-Peaty or Qin-win, as Italy’s Nicolo Martinenghi posted one of the fastest closing 50s of the field to take gold. Martinenghi becomes the first Italian man to take gold in this event since Domenico Fioravanti’s win in 2000.

The world record holder still managed to hang on for silver, touching just two-hundredths back of Martinenghi. He wasn’t alone, however, as American Nick Fink touched at the same time. This is the second time Fink has tied in this event at a major international championship, as he was a part of the three-way silver tie at Worlds last summer.

Qin fell all the way to 7th overall, though the entire field was just separated by 0.95-seconds from top to bottom.

Germany’s Melvin Imoudu had the third-fastest time, but won’t receive a medal as he is officially 4th. He made his way into this final by way of a swim-off for 8th.

Martinenghi’s time was the slowest at an Olympics since Athens 2004, when Kosuke Kitajima won gold in 1:00.08.

Women’s 200-Meter Freestyle – Semifinals

• World Record: 1:52.23 – Ariarne Titmus, AUS (2024)
• World Junior Record: 1:53.65 – Summer McIntosh, CAN (2023)
• Olympic Record: 1:53.50 – Ariarne Titmus, AUS (2021)
• 2021 Winning Time: 1:53.50 – Ariarne Titmus, AUS
• 2021 Time to Advance to Finals: 1:56.58

1. Ariarne Titmus (Australia) – 1:54.64
2. Mollie O’Callaghan (Australia) – 1:54.70
3. Claire Weinstein (USA) – 1:55.24
4. Siobhan Haughey (Hong Kong) – 1:55.51
5. Yang Junxuan (China) – 1:55.90
6. Barbora Seemanova (Czech Republic) – 1:56.06
7. Erika Fairweather (New Zealand) – 1:56.31
8. Mary-Sophie Harvey (Canada) – 1:56.37

Most of the starpower in this event was set to swim in the second semi, but Claire Weinstein of Team USA capitalized on clean water to post a new personal best in the first heat.

Weinstein hung close with Barbora Seemanova on the opening 100, but pulled away on third 50. The 17-year-old continued to widen the gap, ultimately touching 0.82-seconds ahead of the Czech swimmer (1:55.24). Seemanova dropped about a second from her prelims effort (1:56.06). Mary-Sophie Harvey, after pulling past world record holder Ariarne Titmus in the prelims, finished 3rd (1:56.37), just off her morning time.

In a rehearsal for the big show tomorrow night, Ariarne Titmus, Mollie O’Callaghan, Siobhan Haughey, and Yang Junxuan all featured in the second semifinal. Titmus was out quick, flipping in 55.55 at the 100 to lead by over half-a-second. Haughey continued to hang in 2nd at the 150 mark, but O’Callaghan was lurking close behind in 3rd.

O’Callaghan once again dropped a 28-point closing 50 to almost close the distance on Titmus. The two Australians represented the only 1:54-second swims of the event.

Haughey turned in a 1:55.51 effort ahead of Yang Junxuan (1:55.90). Erika Fairwearther and Erin Gemmell duked it out for 5th place in that heat, with Fairweather ultimately emerging victorious.

The U.S. just misses out on having two representatives in the final, as Gemmell’s time sits just 0.11-seconds back of Harvey’s 8th place time.