Gretchen Walsh Breaks Sarah Sjostrom’s Olympic Record With 55.38 100 Fly During Semifinals

2024 PARIS SUMMER OLYMPIC GAMES

WOMEN’S 100-METER BUTTERFLY – SEMIFINALS

  • World Record: 55.18 – Gretchen Walsh, USA (2024)
  • World Junior Record: 56.43 – Claire Curzan, USA (2021)
  • Olympic Record: 55.48 – Sarah Sjostrom, SWE (2016)
  • 2021 Winning Time: 55.59 – Maggie MacNeil, CAN
  • 2021 Time to Advance to Semis: 57.19

Advancing to Finals: 

  1. Gretchen Walsh (USA), 55.38 OR
  2. Torri Huske (USA), 56.00
  3. Zhang Yufei (CHN), 56.15
  4. Angelina Kohler (GER)/Maggie MacNeil (CAN), 56.55
  5. Emma McKeon (AUS), 56.74
  6. Mizuki Hirai (JPN), 56.80
  7. Louise Hansson (SWE), 56.93

Gretchen Walsh set another record in the long course meters (LCM) women’s 100 butterfly, breaking the Olympic Record as she touched in a 55.38 to lead the way through semifinals. Walsh broke the previous record of a 55.48 that Sarah Sjostrom swam a the 2016 Rio Olympics en route to gold.

Sjostrom’s record had stood as the World Record until Walsh broke it last month at US Olympic Trials with a 55.18 during semifinals.

Split Comparison

Walsh Olympic- Semis Walsh US Trials – Semis
Sjostrom- 2016 Rio
50 25.29 25.45 26.01
100 30.09 29.73 29.47
55.38 55.18 55.48

Walsh was out in about the same split tonight on the first 50, splitting a 25.29 before coming home in a 30.09. If she goes out fast again, coming home in a sub-30 split will be key to another record-breaking swim. Walsh’s split is so fast on the first 50 that is it hard for the field to come back and catch Walsh.

In addition to setting a new Olympic Record, Walsh also now holds the top 3 swims in history.

All-Time Top 5 Women’s LCM 100 Fly

  1. Gretchen Walsh, 55.18 (2024 US Trials-Semis)
  2. Gretchen Walsh, 55.31 (2024 US Trials-Finals)
  3. Gretchen Walsh, 55.38 (2024 Olympics-Semis)
  4. Sarah Sjostrom, 55.48 (2016 Olympics)
  5. Torri Huske, 55.52 (2024 US Trials- Finals)

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Swimmer.thingz
3 months ago

Pan breaking OR during lead-off and being closer to the WR doesn’t get an article.. love the US bias

Stingy
Reply to  Swimmer.thingz
3 months ago

Yea I’m still waiting for that Pan Zhanle article

Joe
Reply to  Stingy
3 months ago

and I’m still waiting for Pan to be tested for doping to determine if it’s actually negative result. All of us don’t get what we want.

Last edited 3 months ago by Joe
Awsi Dooger
3 months ago

A pool like this probably makes it slightly more difficult to rally. Blowback from below as well as wake on top. That plays to Gretchen’s advantage. All of the leads were holding today. But she needs to remain low toward the finish and avoid long glides to the wall.

Mako
3 months ago

After a somewhat disappointing morning (I think she was disappointed), she came out to prove a point and prove she did. Good on her. Awesome swim.

Weinstein-Smith-Ledecky-Sims
3 months ago

I’m impressed with Gretchen Walsh’s relay split in the women’s 4 x 100 meter freestyle relay after breaking the Olympic Record in the women’s 100 meter butterfly during the same evening session. The major difference between Walsh’s split and Huske’s split was the reaction time, 0.35 for Walsh versus 0.00 for Huske. Now if Walsh could trim a little fat off the reaction time (0.35 to 0.20 at a minimum).

Weinstein-Smith-Ledecky-Sims
3 months ago

Gretchen Walsh swam the fastest front half and the fastest back half. Now that’s a deadly combo.

Viking Steve
3 months ago

Breakout this Olympics. Superstar in LA 2028

Facts
Reply to  Viking Steve
3 months ago

Greatest NCAA women’s swimmer of all time, world record holder, you sure that doesn’t meet the criteria for superstar now

Viking Steve
Reply to  Facts
3 months ago

Peak will be 2028…. She will be medal contender for 100 free individual in addition to Gold medal lock in 50 Free as well as again in the 100 Fly. 3 Relays. (cannot rule out 4×200)

KSW
Reply to  Viking Steve
3 months ago

She literally in her prime right now. If she can hold it for another 4 years good for her but i wouldn’t count on it

Shane Maximus
Reply to  Viking Steve
3 months ago

Everyone loves to see swimmers get better and better. This is not a guarantee.

I miss the ISL (Go dawgs)
Reply to  Viking Steve
3 months ago

She can be a superstar this week!

HOO love
3 months ago

Get it 💪🏼💪🏼

Notanyswimmer
3 months ago

That would’ve been a 54 in a normal pool.

Yinz
Reply to  Notanyswimmer
3 months ago

Why so humble? It would be 53 if not even faster.

About Anya Pelshaw

Anya Pelshaw

Anya has been with SwimSwam since June 2021 as both a writer and social media coordinator. She was in attendance at the 2022, 2023, and 2024 Women's NCAA Championships writing and doing social media for SwimSwam. She also attended 2023 US Summer Nationals as well as the 2024 European Championships …

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