39 year old Matt Grevers qualified for his seventh US Olympic Trials after swimming a 22.50 in a 50 freestyle time trial on Friday at the Southwest Classic. The swim was also his fastest time in the event since December 2015.
Grevers swam his 4th long course 50 freestyle since returning to competition in February 2024. Previously, Grevers has swam times of a 23.10 in early May and 23.08 and 22.99 at Sectionals in March. Today’s swim was his first time under the Trials cut that stands at a 22.79.
This summer’s Trials will mark the seventh US Olympic Trials in his career as he first competed at the 2000 Olympic Trials at the age of 15 swimming the 200 backstroke.
He went on to qualify for his first Olympic Games in 2008 swimming in prelims of the men’s 4×100 free and 4×100 medley relays. Just four years later, he competed in London individually going on to win two golds and one silver, including gold in the 100 backstroke.
In 2016, he just missed the Olympic Team as he finished 3rd in the 100 backstroke. In 2020, he finished 6th in the 100 back at the 2020 Wave II Trials as well.
Although he never competed in the 50 freestyle at the Olympics, he is no stranger to the event at Trials. He finished 12th in the event in 2004, 9th in the event in 2008, 6th in the event in 2012, and 46th in 2020(1). His best time in the event stands at a 22.09 from 2012 Trials.
Today’s time of a 22.50 was faster than he was at 2020 Wave II Trials as he was 46th in a time of a 22.98. He has not been under the 22.50 mark since December 2015 when he swam a 22.43 at US Winter Nationals.
His swimming career must be 28 or even 30 years long.
3 decades!!
Just a word of warning. When your 39 you’re still normal. When you’re 43 shaving down requires putting a razor to your ears, some random spot on your back, and using reading glasses while doing it.
Downvote for too much truth.
bro has qualified for every OT this century. 24 years! No way this has ever been done. I didn’t even know he still swam. what a legend
Feel like he needs to go Old School. Shave head. Paper suit. Black out any logo’s on his goggles. Hit the oxygen. motion lotion. Drop a 21.7
Anthony Ervin 21.04 incoming
Qualifying for 7 trials has to be some kind record
Is he gonna pull an Earvin?
Nahhhhh doubt it. 22.50 is a long way from 21.50.
If he makes a semi though that’d be cool.
Think he makes semi’s
Anyone’s race to make finals
Nobody is beating him in a 100 IM