Virginia training partners Gretchen Walsh and Kate Douglass have been confirmed as the U.S. women’s entrants in the 100 IM at the 2024 Short Course World Championships. The original U.S. roster released by USA Swimming did not include entries for the 100 IM on either the men’s or women’s side.
At this time, USA Swimming declined to release final entries for the championship.
Walsh and Douglass electrified the 100 IM this fall. At the Shanghai stop of the Swimming World Cup, Douglass became the second-fastest performer in history, setting an American record of 56.99. Hours later in a time trial at the Virginia vs. Florida short-course meters dual meet, Walsh destroyed Douglass’ American record and Katinka Hosszu’s world record (56.51), becoming the first sub-56 second swimmer with a 55.98.
Walsh’s swim from the time trial has been approved in the last two weeks, opening the door for her to swim the event at Short Course Worlds.
Douglass won the women’s rankings at the 2024 Short Course World Cup and along with breaking the 200 breaststroke world record multiple times, lowered her 100 IM best to 56.57, just off Hosszu’s now former world record.
World Aquatics posted Douglass’ event lineup earlier this week, including the 100 IM. She is slated to race the 50 free, 100 free, 200 breast, 50 fly, 100 IM, and 200 IM in Budapest.
Kate Douglass is ready for Budapest 🇺🇸🏊♀️ #AQUABudapest2024 pic.twitter.com/vxtmDXJdu9
— World Aquatics (@WorldAquatics) November 28, 2024
Walsh was originally entered in the 50 free, 50 fly, and 100 freestyle. However, World Aquatics posted Regan Smith‘s event lineup on social media, including the 50 fly, implying Walsh has opted out of the event as there are only two entries per country – though World Aquatics has likewise declined to share finalized entries.
The other factor to consider is that with Torri Huske dropping out of the meet, a spot is open in the 100 freestyle and 100 butterfly. Walsh joined Huske in the Olympic 100 freestyle final and may want to try her hand at the event in short-course meters. Walsh does not have a recorded 100 freestyle time in short-course meters.
Being entered in the 100 IM gives Walsh and Douglass the option to swim the event, though it does not commit them to anything–either could choose to scratch the event in favor of another. The women’s 100 IM competition begins on Thursday, Dec. 12. The semifinals are in the same session as the women’s 100 freestyle final. As for potential conflicts for the 100 IM final, it is in the same session as the women’s 200 breaststroke final, women’s 100 butterfly semifinal, and mixed 4×50 freestyle relay final.
I mean I just have to think GW will get her on this. Her UWs make me think she will win this going away, but KD can really take advantage of that weak breaststroke of GW’s.
GW’s PR 100Y Breast is 59.7.
Do you think that is weak??
There’s no way Douglass swims that many individual events.
But a boy can dream.
At Golden Goggles a few days ago, GW said on a podcast that she was swimming 50/100 free and 50/100 fly.
I’m guessing that Kate is actually the one who dropped the 50 fly, not Gretchen. Weird that World Aquatics would have that wrong if that is where we land.
She also said in the podcast she’s not swimming 100 IM
I would rather see Kate Douglass go for the World Record in the W 200 IM than the W 50 FL.
Especially when Gretchen’s gonna destroy it anyway
KD could be going for 12 medals
Why would Gretchen not be entered in either butterfly event? Doesn’t make much sense.
who else is entered in the 100 fly?
Regan according to World Aquatics tweet.
I mean besides Regan, since Torri is out
Shackell would have the next best LCM time of team members. Hoping the article is just misstated and GW is actually racing it.
but Gretchen has a much faster time than Shackell?