2026 Indianapolis Pro Series
- June 17-20, 2026
- Indianapolis, IN
- LCM (50 meters)
- Meet Central
- Psych Sheets
- Live Results
- Live Stream: USA Swimming Network (Downloadable App)
Video captured by Anya Pelshaw.
Kate Douglass has put on a dominant performance in Indianapolis so far, taking wins in the 200 IM (2:07.04) and 200 Breast (2:21.65), winning both head and shoulders over the field. When asked about her swims, though, Douglass wasn’t so impressed. She feels tired and would like the times to be a little faster, but is trying to keep in mind that this is just a training meet.
Douglass also revealed that last year, she was experiencing pain in her knee during breaststroke training, causing her to swim less of the stroke in practices as well as take precautions outside of the pool. This took the form of pilates, physical therapy, and skipping team dryland sessions in favor of stretching and preventative exercises.
Can you try and interview alex walsh at some point, I think the people want to hear from her?
Many years ago, Peter Daland coaching at Southern California experienced this problem with his swimmers.
He limited the amount of breaststroke kicking and took other actions in dryland training.
And to think she still ended up having the amazing season she did last year despite knee issues. She’s incredible
Just enjoy the honesty and discussing the challenges.
she’s unrested just went 2:07 flat in the 2IM. Unreal
I wonder if she needed a TUE for the cortisone shot.
Plenty of folks having cortisone in high level sports. I think Chalmers and Campbell have been very open on social media about it in the past.
Yes, I remember Michael Phelps remarking that he took two cortisone shots before the Rio Olympics.
In the US and Australia these are provided frequently in an inadvertent manor to enhance performance levels.
Cortisone shots are only banned in competition, no TUE needed as long as there is an appropriate ‘wash-out’ period before a meet.
Might’ve gotten one just in case.
My limited understanding of this stuff is that how the drugs are administered makes a difference (e.g., injections vs. inhalation). While I’ve never had one, people I know have benefited from cortisone injections for several months. I’d be curious to know what the “wash-out” period is.
Just to be clear, I’m not implying Kate did anything wrong. I’m confident she followed appropriate protocols and got all necessary clearances.
Here’s a full document walking through it all: https://www.wada-ama.org/sites/default/files/resources/files/glucocorticoids_and_therapeutic_use_exemptions_final_20oct21.pdf
I started getting knee pain during breaststroke at 16, and wasn’t really guided to PT or exercises. The treatment was rather, just skip this breast race and don’t train it for a while and hopefully it will improve lol. It never did unfortunately, but thankfully breast was only my 3rd best stroke.
I do not believe the human knee was built for breaststroke kick! Particularly mine, as I have some compounding factors that make that specific knee more susceptible to stress and pain.
I hope Douglass is able to remain healthy and at her peak.
Hopefully she squats to full depth. It’s far better for the knees