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Just a day after two of the biggest names in the sport of swimming posted a meme online, the US had a huge night during the finals session on night seven. Several swimmers addressed the criticism with Jack Alexy and Gretchen Walsh being asked post-race about the criticism while Lilly King took to her Instagram story.
Yesterday, Ryan Lochte and Michael Phelps took to their Instagram story to share a meme on the performance of Team USA.
Ryan Lochte posted a photograph of a funeral that included a tombstone that reads:
IN LOVING MEMORY OF
UNITED STATES SWIMMING
1980 – 2025
Aged 45“They set the bar high-until they stopped reaching for it”
He added a caption that said “Call it a funeral, or call it a fresh start. We’ve got 3 years.”
Michael Phelps, the most-decorated Olympian in history with 28 medals, re-shared that post, adding the text “Is this the wake up call USA swimming needed? Let’s find out…..”
Neither Lochte and Phelps have not posted on their Instagram stories since the meme. Today in the pool though, the US had a big night. All of the finalists either equaled or improved upon their seeds coming out of semifinals with the lone exception being Jack Alexy who went from the #2 seed to winning bronze in the men’s 50 freestyle. Six out of the seven finals swims produced a medal, with the lone exception being Santo Condorelli who matched his seed in the 50 free. To close the night, the US set a new World Record in the mixed 4×100 free relay.
USA Night 7 Finals Results (And Seed From Semifinals)
- Women’s 50 fly: GOLD Gretchen Walsh (#1 seed)
- Men’s 50 free: BRONZE Jack Alexy (#2) seed, Santo Candorelli 8th (#8 seed)
- Women’s 200 backstroke: SILVER Regan Smith (#5 seed), BRONZE Claire Curzan (#3 seed)
- Women’s 800 free: GOLD Katie Ledecky (#1 seed)
- Mixed 4×100 free relay: WORLD RECORD, GOLD (#1 seed)
Not only did the finals swims have swimmers move up from their seed, but so did the semifinalists. Coming out of prelims, none of the four US swimmers were in the top eight. All four swimmers moved up to advance to tomorrow night’s final.
USA Night 7 Semifinals Results (And Seed From Prelims)
- Women’s 50 breast: #4 Lilly King (#10 seed)
- Women’s 50 free: #3 Gretchen Walsh (#14 seed), #7 Torri Huske (#13 seed)
- Men’s 50 back: #7 Quintin McCarty (#10 seed)
Jack Alexy had a busy night, winning bronze in the 50 free before leading off the US Mixed 4×100 free relay in a huge 46.91 to help them to the World Record. He has had a huge meet for the US beyond just tonight, also winning silver in the men’s 100 free, resetting the American Record during semifinals in the process. Alexy was asked after the 50 freestyle his thoughts on expectations for the US and public pressure.
“There definitely is a lot of pressure on USA swimmers, because in the past decades, there have been legends in our sport that have paved the way for us. It is a privilege to be in this position, and we’re very grateful. I think a lot of people, a lot of swim fans, love the sport, and sometimes they’re really critical, sometimes they’re really supportive. So I think that’s just sports fans in general. I don’t think it’s personal at all.
“The USA has a high standard of reach, and when we are considered not at that highest standard 100% of the time, we can definitely take some criticism for it. But it’s definitely fuel to the fire for the next couple years. And the theme going into this meet was setting off the tone right for LA 2028. So I think we’re continuing to do a better job at that, especially after tonight, and I’m really excited for the future.”
Gretchen Walsh was also asked about the criticism online. So far, Walsh has swam to gold in the 50 fly and 100 fly, and is the #3 seed heading into tomorrow night’s final of the 50 freestyle.
“I was made aware, and it’s frustrating, but I think that personally, I am just trying to block it out and take on the meet with everything I can and just show up and race like I know how.”
Lilly King took to her Instagram story to talk about the criticism. King just missed making the final of the women’s 100 breast as she was 9th in semifinals and she is the #4 seed heading into the final of the women’s 50 breast tomorrow night.
King posted on her Instagram story “@m_phelps00 @ryanlochte Y’all been real quiet tonight”
I think there is an ebb and flow to swimming, when new records are set it’s very American to rise to the occasion! They will have a whole new team in 2028!
It seems a little trash talk lit a fire for team USA.. humm, maybe shoulda started a few days ago.. And by the way, expectations should be high, the highest..unless we no longer want to be the best.
Those two have a wealth of knowledge and success. I would like to see more of their involvement than criticism.
Michael posted on his story calling Katie the GOAT btw.
And Lilly…the incredible performances by the mixed relay team, Katie, and Gretchen don’t cancel the overall problem of American men missing several finals.
I love Lilly King!
Phelps is an egotistical maniac, Lochte is more than a few smarties short of a full tube.
Ledecky is more likeable, more dominant and arguably more impressive than Phelps.
Oh please nothing wrong with them calling out the underperformance this week. You guys hate any type shots taken cause this sport is soft. If anything it seems the team is using the call outs as fuel to finish strong.
Spoiler, Phelps would have underperformed with the sport as competitive as it is now, even with his Ritalin. 💊
pretty sure he was talking about USA swimming the organization
Gotta love King for that
Even though I don’t think Phelps & Lochte were trying to be malicious, it would be epic if she turns it into fuel and gets herself on the podium tomorrow. She just needs a couple of tenths for a great shot at bronze.
Not her number one fan, but she absolutely clocked them
Maybe, just maybe the criticism was over the target and if that helped fire up the athletes, it had its intended effect!
Team USA is by far the most dominant team throughout history. As they say …. If you can’t take the heat, get out of the kitchen.