Despite Illness to Team USA, Greg Meehan says “vibe of the team has been Great”

2025 World Championships

• July 27 – August 3, 2025 (pool swimming)
• Singapore, Singapore
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  • Prelims: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4
  • Finals: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4

A stomach virus that hit Team USA during its pre-Worlds training camp in Phuket, Thailand, has impacted several early performances at the 2025 World Championships in Singapore. According to National Team Director Greg Meehan, a majority of the roster came down with symptoms of gastroenteritis after arriving in Thailand, forcing some lineup shuffling and subpar swims at the beginning of the meet.

Torri Huske was among those affected, the reigning Olympic Champion in the event, pulling out of the 100 butterfly prelims. Gretchen Walsh was also reportedly impacted, while up-and-comer Luka Mijatovic struggled in the men’s 400 freestyle, adding almost 14 seconds from his lifetime best swim. Backstroker Jack Aikins was more than four seconds off his personal best in the men’s 100 back. Other lineup adjustments included Erin Gemmell, who filled in for Gretchen Walsh on the women’s 4×100 free relay, helping the US to a runner-up finish.

Despite the setback, Meehan expressed confidence in the team’s handling of the situation.

“The overall vibe of the team has been great,” Meehan said in an interview with NBC Sports during day two of the World Championships. “[I’m] just really proud of how they’ve handled it, how they’re continuing to handle it, and staying positive in light of all of that.”

Meehan noted that the relay substitutions and changes to event schedules were necessary due to lingering symptoms in the lead-up to the meet. But he said the team has “started to turn a corner” to recover.

“I think we started to see some folks turn the corner here in the last 24, 36 hours,” he said. “And hoping that we’re going to be really good as we go. There is still plenty of time for us to get going.”

American momentum picked up some steam through the early stages in Singapore. With Gretchen Walsh winning the 100 fly, Alex Walsh taking silver in the 200 IM, Katie Ledecky dominating the 1500 free, Luke Hobson’s silver in the 200 free, Kate Douglass narrowly missing out on gold in the 100 breaststroke, and Regan Smith and Katharine Berkoff finishing 2-3 in the 100 back, Team USA seemingly was starting to find its rhythm.

But by Day 4, Team USA had fully reestablished itself with several high-level performances.

Claire Weinstein, who had scratched the 400 free earlier in the meet while recovering from illness, helped open the session with a bronze medal in the women’s 200 free. The 17-year-old dueled for the podium throughout the race, ultimately finishing in 1:54.67, a new lifetime best.

Luca Urlando, competing in his first major international final since returning from shoulder surgery, pulled away from the field to win gold in the men’s 200 butterfly. It marked his first career World title, making him the second American ever under 1:52.

Team USA closed it out on day 4 with Jack Alexy taking down Caeleb Dessel’s 100 free American Record time of 46.96 with a blistering 46.81 in the 100 free semifinals.

“That’s the spirit of Team USA and USA Swimming,” Meehan said. “When called upon, they’re going to give their absolute best.”

He also credited the support staff for adapting under pressure as the illness swept through the team in Thailand.

“I’m proud of how the staff has just continued to stay focused on having plans and backup plans—and backup plans to the backup plan.”

Notably, while many of the swimmers were impacted by the illness, no coaches are believed to have fallen ill.