Summer McIntosh: “I Hate Losing More Than I Like Winning” (Day Seven Worlds Quotes)

2025 World Championships

• July 27 – August 3, 2025 (pool swimming)
• Singapore, Singapore
• World Aquatics Championships Arena
• LCM (50m)
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  • Prelims: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7
  • Finals: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7

The penultimate night of action unfolded in Singapore and American Katie Ledecky brought the house down with a gutsy 800m freestyle victory ahead of Lani Pallister of Australia and Summer McIntosh of Canada.

28-year-old Olympic icon Ledecky shut down McIntosh’s quest for 5 golds, reaping her own 23rd World Championships gold medal as yet another untouchable addition to her resume.

Maxime Grousset of France topped the men’s 100m fly podium while Gretchen Walsh of the United States reaped the top spot in the women’s 50m fly.

Add the United States’ mixed free relay gold and we had quite a night of racing to bring us to the final day of competition.

WOMEN’S 50 BUTTERFLY – Final

• World Record: 24.43 — Sarah Sjostrom, Sweden (2014)
• World Junior Record: 25.46 — Rikako Ikee, Japan (2017)
• Championship Record: 24.60 — Sarah Sjostrom, Sweden (2017)
• 2023 World Champion: Sarah Sjostrom, Sweden — 24.77

Final: 

1. Gretchen Walsh (United States) — 24.83
2. Alexandria Perkins (Australia) — 25.31
3. Roos Vanotterdijk (Belgium) — 25.43
4. Angelina Kohler (Germany) — 25.50
5. Arina Surkova (NAB) — 25.59
6. Lily Price (Australia) — 25.61
7. Silvia Di Pietro (Italy) — 25.64
8. Erin Gallagher (South Africa) — 25.66

Flash Quotes

GOLD – Gretchen WALSH (USA)

On the result:

“I’m very proud. That was a great swim, feels great to feel like myself again in the water after a rough week. Two-time world champion, can’t complain about that.”

On being motivated to win the title: 

“I was really motivated. I think it was because I felt so good in the water that I just was like, here we go. We’re gonna make it to the final. We’re gonna advance. I knew going into tonight that I had two goals. One was to be on the top of that podium, and the next was just to get a second swim. So really happy with both of the results, and kind of my mentality getting through them.

“I was really happy, proud of myself. Just feeling good in the water again. I love this sport so I love those events that I got to swim tonight. And even though doubles can be hard, that’s probably the most fun and easy one.”

On what was key: 

“My start seems to be off, but honestly, it was kind of just digging deep the last 15, getting my hand on the wall. And no matter how it had to happen, it was gonna happen. I just think that I needed to carry the energy that I had, that kind of adrenaline I had going in my system after the 50 fly, and then just get me home in the 50 free.”

On her 100 and 50 fly double:

“I feel great. To have the title in the 100 and the 50 butterfly is everything to me. I love these two races, and I feel like I’ve been really working towards being a world champion, executing when it mattered most. And I’m just really happy with the results I got tonight, and going under that 25 barrier again is always huge.”

On criticism about Team USA’s performance:

“Yeah, why not just get a gold? I think we’ve been dealing with a lot so it’s hard to get the criticism in the first place because I don’t think people quite understand the magnitude of everything going on behind the scenes. But showing up, giving my best, and coming out a world champion twice now has been everything, and I’m just happy to keep doing it and happy that I’m feeling like myself again in the water.  

On whether the team has surpassed expectations:

“Perhaps. Mine, for sure. I was saying at the beginning of the meet, I just had to reevaluate my own expectations for myself. And I think that I’ve definitely surpassed those. I’ve gone times that I didn’t think I was going to be able to get. I knew that I could maybe pull out wins, but the time was going to be a huge question mark. So I’m happy with what I’ve gone. I’m happy even with my 50 free tonight and hoping to just end the meet on a bang tomorrow.”

On the criticism online: 

“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.”

SILVER – Alexandria PERKINS (AUS)

On the result:

“I’m really happy with that, it’s a bit of a relief to be honest because finals are always so nerve-wracking. But I’m really happy with the PB. I’m really glad I controlled my nerves and was able to put the race together better than last night.”

On how she managed her nerves:

“I think just treating it as any other race, not getting too overwhelmed in the emotions of where we are (because) it’s so exciting, it’s very easy to. But the more I get to race at this level, the more experience you get, and that makes it a little better.”

On how much the win prepares her for LA:

“Definitely a lot. I mean, there’s a long time between now and then, so I’m hoping I can just improve each year and hopefully be on that team who are able to compete over there.”

BRONZE – Roos VANOTTERDIJK (BEL)

On her medals in the 100 fly and the 50 fly:

“It gives me a lot of confidence. I’m really happy with how the whole week went. All the steps forward that I made, all the progress that I made, I couldn’t be happier with this. It’s really, really something amazing. 

On the 50 fly being a medal event at LA2028:

“I think for the 50 fly, I still have to take some steps. I have to find myself in the event again, because I was mainly focusing on the 100. I still think that’s my best event because I really love the back-end speed, that’s really what I’m good at. Now, I have to get the front-end speed there as well, but we’ve been training it a lot, and it has been coming together, but I think I can still make some steps in the 50. Right now I’m just really enjoying this medal because something so special, and I’m really, really happy with this result.”

On the prospect of getting a medal at LA2028:

“Right now, I’m just going to enjoy this moment. I’m going to take it step by step and take a break. LA2028 is still a long time away, it’s still far away, so I’m not going to get ahead of myself. Just going to enjoy this, do my training, and we’ll see where we go, but I’m just going to enjoy this.” 

On the meet:

“It’s just been amazing. I think it’s the best week of my life. I’ve really, really enjoyed racing here, just the whole competition. I really enjoyed the whole year, the training, competitions, and this was just an amazing end to the whole year. So I’m really, really happy with this.”

MEN’S 50 FREESTYLE – Final

• World Record: 20.91 — Cesar Cielo, Brazil  (2009)
• World Junior Record: 21.75 — Michael Andrew, United States (2017)
• Championship Record: 21.04 — Caeleb Dressel, United States (2019)
• 2023 World Champion: Cameron McEvoy, Australia — 21.06
• 2024 Olympic Champion: Cameron McEvoy, Australia — 21.25

Final: 

1. Cameron McEvoy (Australia) — 21.14
2. Ben Proud (Great Britain) — 21.26
3. Jack Alexy (United States) — 21.46
4. Leonardo Deplano (Italy) — 21.52
5. Egor Kornev (NAB) — 21.53
6. Andrej Barna (Serbia) — 21.60
7. Ji Yuchan (South Korea) — 21.71
8. Santo Condorelli (United States) — 21.73

Flash Quotes

GOLD – Cameron MCEVOY (AUS)

On winning as a new dad: 

“First, I want to shout out to Maddi at home. I couldn’t be here without her. Shoutout to Hartley, my three-week-old son. It’s unreal. It’s been a pretty hectic preparation. I’m just glad that I got my hand on the wall first in a great time. Enjoy it while it lasts here, but I’m so excited to get home.”

On his new perspective on life: 

“That was my mindset before this. It sounds cliché, but in or lose, I’m going home a winner. It’s given me a new light on the sport, on life, something new to navigate, and I’ll see where it takes me in the future.” 

On his performance and time:

“That’s my third quickest time ever. For the prep, exceptional. I’m super happy with that. Obviously I want to do a PB, but given the prep, given the last few years, I can’t be unhappy with that. First and foremost, it’s hand on the wall, look what time I went, then look what place I went. I nailed that first 25. Held on really well.”

On preparation and longevity:

“I got back in the water the last week of March, so it’s like a 17-week prep for this. To learn that I’ve got that ability to have that runway, yet still go 21.1, is really exciting for the longevity. I want to tweak it in the coming years, but it’s been awesome.”

On fatherhood:

“I’m going straight to the newborn trenches. I’ll start to do the night routines, help Maddi, and just enjoy the bubble, really. Maddi put the little jumpsuit together, saying ‘Number 1 fan, go Dad’ on it. It was so cool to see. This little present (Ollie plush toy) will go towards him when I get home. Hopefully next time, they’ll be in the stands, and that’ll be even more special.”

On what’s next for him:

“I’m having a break. I’m just going to live life. Not sure when I’ll be back in, but I’m not stopping. Imagine telling myself in 2022 this is where I’d be. You couldn’t write a script like that. The dream lives on, right? My story just goes for a while.”

SILVER – Benjamin PROUD (GBR) 

On battling illness during the meet and how it affected him:

“I was still suffering from the viral bug that was going around. All expectations just went out the window. The only important thing was getting through the rounds, making it to the final, and enjoying that process. The less-than-ideal run-up almost took the pressure off. I just aimed to get through the rounds, hoping to sneak a podium spot. My analogy is I always want to be among the best, so when opportunities arise, I’m there to reap the rewards.”

On the support from his team:

“I owe a lot to the team doctor and coaches who managed my energy and got me through the symptoms to be ready for the final. Even an hour before the race, I just wanted to get a swim done, but we were planning my energy to peak at the final.”

On his race time being better than at Paris 2024:

“It’s almost frustrating to do it on the last race of the year because you don’t get a chance to fix mistakes or improve. But the fact I hit a 21.2 in a final, where it matters most, is something I’ll always be proud of.”

On competing against Cameron MCEVOY (AUS):

“I’ll come second to Cameron any day. He’s a great advocate for the sport and sprinting, especially for senior swimmers.”

BRONZE – Jack ALEXY (USA)

On handling a packed session and preparing for the relay:

“I knew that it was going to be definitely just a long session for me tonight, having two swims, and I welcomed that challenge, and I’m really excited. I think the 50 just set me up kind of as a warm-up for the 100 today, and it was a lot of fun preparing for the relay. I told Patrick on the way to the ready room it was a lot less pressure than the other 100 free final that we were in a couple of nights ago. So just with our teammates having fun and being confident in ourselves, I think we did the job well.”

On Team USA expectations 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.”

WOMEN’S 200 BACKSTROKE – Final

• World Record: 2:03.14 — Kaylee McKeown, Australia (2023)
• World Junior Record: 2:03.35 — Regan Smith, United States (2019)
• Championship Record: 2:03.35 — Regan Smith, United States (2019)
• 2023 World Champion: Kaylee McKeown, Australia — 2:03.85
• 2024 Olympic Champion: Kaylee McKeown, Australia — 2:03.73

Final: 

1. Kaylee McKeown (Australia) — 2:03.33 *Championship Record
2. Regan Smith (United States) — 2:04.29
3. Claire Curzan (United States) — 2:06.04
4. Peng Xuwei (China) — 2:07.22
5. Anastasiya Shkurdai (NAA) — 2:08.09
6. Liu Yaxin (China) — 2:09.71
7. Dora Molnar (Hungary) — 2:09.74
8. Lise Seidel (Germany) — 2:10.01

Flash Quotes

GOLD – Kaylee MCKEOWN (AUS)

On the race: 

“I wasn’t feeling too great heading in, a bit of illness and stuff going around, dealing with a bit of a shoulder. I had to put my best foot forward tonight, I dug really deep, and I’m really happy with the time that I posted. 

On the latter part of the race: 

“Something I’ve been really working on is focusing on my own race. I think it really helped me on the outside lane, not seeing the other girls around me, and just really focusing on what I’ve been working on. I don’t see a whole lot when I’m racing. I had to ask for my time at the end.” 

On consistently going below 2:04:

“I think consistency comes from training. You’ve got to be able to swim a consistent level in training, and practise day in and day out what you want to do in a race. And it doesn’t just come together in a race like that without putting the time and effort into really mastering your craft in the training environment, and that’s exactly what I did today.

“I don’t think it’s difficult. I think it’s just practising what you want to do in a race.” 

On whether she was going for a world record:

“Everyone always asks if I’m going for a world record anytime I get into the water. It’s the last thing that comes to my mind. For me, I have to follow my processes, and if I get a world record, so be it, that’s great. If not, so be it, that’s great. It’s just a matter of me doing me and following my processes, which isn’t chasing a world record. 

SILVER – Regan SMITH (USA)

On her thoughts after the race:

“I thought it was as good as it could go for me this year at this meet. I was about a second off my PB in my 200 fly so I thought if I could put together a good race tonight, I’d be about a second off my last 200 backstroke and I was. Good execution and honestly a really great time. My fastest time the season before that was 2:05.8, so the bar was low but still a good swim for me.”

On being ahead of everyone else halfway through the race:

“Honestly I figured that would be the case considering that’s how I swim it versus how Kaylee (McKEOWN) swims it, but I can’t see anything behind me, so I just try to stay in my own lane. That is something I’ve tried to work on with my coach over the years as I sometimes lack awareness of how fast I’m going in the first half. It feels so easy, until it doesn’t, and then I hit a bit of a wall. It’s something I’ve been dealing with for a while and just trying to nail that down, just get a feel for how fast I’m going and my pace, and it’ll be something I’ll continue to work on in this next quarter.”

On sharing the podium with Claire CURZAN (USA):

“It’s really special, it’s been a while since we had two Americans on the podium in the 200 backstroke. It’s 2025 and we have 3 years until the big dance (in LA) so that is something we absolutely want to repeat in the years going forward. But this is awesome, great swim for Claire and a great swim for me and it gives us good momentum.”

BRONZE – Claire CURZAN (USA)

On her first medal in Singapore: 

“It felt great. First medal in 200 backstroke too, so I’m happy with how this event is developing for me and excited for the future.”

On the race:
“It was a pretty good race. I felt pretty strong through prelims and semi-finals and was hoping for a best time, but I’m proud of how it was executed, all things considered, with this being a big national stage and the first time racing this event in prelims, semi-finals and final format at an international meet. So, just really pleased with how it went and always happy for a medal.”

On what’s next for her: 

“Just continue training at the University of Virginia. I have two more years of college eligibility left, so hopefully I make the most of those. Try to help UVA win a couple more team titles, and then who knows from there, just kind of up in the air.”

On her experience at Singapore 2025:

“It’s been awesome. I’ve been able to cheer up in the stands for most of it, so I’ve really had a blast doing that and being able to support my teammates in a different way than racing.”

MEN’S 100 BUTTERFLY – Final

• World Record: 49.45 — Caeleb Dressel, United States (2021)
• World Junior Record: 50.62 — Kristof Milak, Hungary (2017)
• Championship Record: 49.50 — Caeleb Dressel, United States (2019)
• 2023 World Champion: Maxime Grousset, France — 50.14
• 2024 Olympic Champion: Kristof Milak, Hungary — 49.90

Final: 

1. Maxime Grousset (France) — 49.62
2. Noe Ponti (Switzerland) — 49.83
3. Ilya Kharun (Canada) — 50.07
4. Josh Liendo (Canada) — 50.09
5. Matt Temple (Australia) — 50.57
6. Andrei Minakov (NAB) — 50.90
7. Simon Bucher (Austria) — 50.92
8. Thomas Ceccon (Italy) — 51.12

Flash Quotes

GOLD – Maxime GROUSSET (FRA)

On how he’s feeling:

“I don’t know what to say, but thank you. I heard you during the race, thank you all.”

On what changed this week:

“I found more strength and more power in the water, that’s all.”

SILVER – Noe PONTI (SUI)

On the race: 

“Good, I feel good. I did a great race and swam fast. 49.8, pretty good. I missed gold again against Maxime, but it is what it is and that’s the sport. I’m happy for him and he went faster. Congrats to him.”

On the competitiveness of men’s butterfly: 

“50 fly was pretty close, 100 fly was also very competitive. I’m happy to be a part of these fast races and be on the podium even if it wasn’t so easy to win a medal. (But) I was expecting (myself) to swim sub-50s today. In LA, (you’ll need) pretty much the same time. 49.9 to make the podium.”

On how he would rate his performance in Singapore:

“Nine-and-a-half out of 10. Only because I won silvers and not golds, but otherwise it was 10 out of 10.”

BRONZE – Ilya KHARUN (CAN)

On the result: 

“I’m happy I got that touch. Of course, winning would have been great but I still have some work to do. I’m just happy that I performed that well.”

On teammate Josh LIENDO (CAN): 

“Josh is an amazing competitor. He’s a very strong swimmer, and I told him when we finished that I wished I could have shared it with him. A double podium again would have been great, but I’m glad that we can keep pushing each other moving forward.”

On his struggles in Singapore: 

“I didn’t really doubt myself because I know myself and I know my speed. It’s kind of like in chess, how you have to make the right moves to get there. Probably needed more training for the 200 metres… But during the 50 metres, it felt like there was nothing I could do because one little mistake led me to not make it. I can only just learn from it, and keep going.”

On how proud he is of himself for this medal:

“I’m really proud of myself because I really deserved this. The process has been really frustrating so I’m just happy I got it.” 

Women’s 800 Freestyle — Final

• World Record: 8:04.12 — Katie Ledecky, United States (2025)
• World Junior Record: 8:11.00 — Katie Ledecky, United States (2014)
• Championship Record: 8:07.39 — Katie Ledecky, United States (2015)
• 2023 World Champion: Katie Ledecky, United States — 8:08.87
• 2024 Olympic Champion: Katie Ledecky, United States — 8:11.04

Final: 

1. Katie Ledecky (United States) — 8:05.62 *Championship Record
2. Lani Pallister (Australia) — 8:05.98
3. Summer McIntosh (Canada) — 8:07.29
4. Simona Quadarella (Italy) — 8:12.81
5. Li Bingjie (China) — 8:15.59
6. Isabel Gose (Germany) — 8:18.23
7. Erika Fairweather (New Zealand) — 8:20.79
8. Ichika Kajimoto (Japan) — 8:26.85

Flash Quotes

GOLD – Katie LEDECKY (USA)

On winning the event for the 7th time at the world championships: 

“That’s pretty incredible, three of us going under 8:10… incredibly fast. They pushed me all the way. I’m just really happy I could put that together. I just told myself to trust my legs, because I’ve gotten a bit better at kicking. Just running home at the end.

“I just came in tonight, trying to enjoy it as much as I can. I don’t think I have anything to lose at this point of my career. Just enjoying the crowd, swimming against the best in the world. Everyone in that heat is the next generation of swimmers coming up; just proud to be a part of it.” 

SILVER – Lani PALLISTER (AUS)

On lowering her PB by five seconds:

“I didn’t think I’d be an 8:05. I thought under 8:10 was definitely realistic, but Dean (BOXALL) said to me pre-race I was either going to be in front of them with them or behind them at the back 50s, so turning with them was so surreal. I felt half decent at 400 and was like ‘Oh, maybe we’ve not gone out as fast as we did in the 1500’ But no, I’m really happy with how I put that together and getting the silver behind the greatest distance from a real time is wicked.”

On the race:

“I didn’t really feel like I was in it. I feel like I was kind of just watching them to go about their business, and I was kind of just on the side thinking, ‘Oh, who’s going to win?’ But I’m really happy with how I put it together. This is such a big week. I think Katie and I have both done 5.6km of racing, so to drop an 8:05 off the back of it is huge.”

On her last 50:

“I promised Dean that I’d kick on the back 50 so when I turned with them, knowing that Summer and Katie both have, I knew it would be relatively close.. It is actually just like a really fun race to be a part of.”

BRONZE – Summer MCINTOSH (CAN)

On falling short of her goals:

“At this point I’m literally just thinking about the 400 IM because I’m not done yet. But obviously that’s not even close to what I wanted time-wise, place-wise, how I executed the race. I just want to say congratulations to Katie and Lani of course, they had amazing swims. 

“But that’s not what I wanted myself individually. In the first 400 I was really trying to cruise as much as possible but I don’t think I set my tempo right in the first half. I think I didn’t stay in the moment as well, I was all over the place and thinking too much because it’s 800. I knew going into the last 150 I gave it my all, I think that’s probably the hardest I’ve pushed myself since I’ve been here.”

“My freestyle has been up and down these past few years, and this is kind of what happened in the 400 free. Just trying to learn how to swim the race and this is only my second time swimming it internationally, the other time being when I was 14. So lots to learn, and this is my favourite race so that definitely will fuel me to continue to do it until I master it and execute it the way I want it and stand on top of the podium at the international level.”

On what was going through her mind during the race:

“I think I was thinking too much about Katie being beside me and trying to keep up with her and not let her take over too much, rather than just swimming my own race. I went 8:05 in trials but I’m a lot more tired here. I think that was a big learning lesson for me, this feels like a big flashback from Fukuoka 400 free. It’ll definitely take some time, this is a new event for me and I have lots to learn in it and we’ll see where it takes me in the next few years heading into LA.”

On where she wanted to be in the race in the last quarter:

“In the last 250 I wanted to be a bit ahead and in the last 150 I wanted to take over fully. But I raced Katie so many times, I can just tell that she had a lot left and I was thinking about that. Feeling like I don’t have a lot left is never nice, but I think that just shows her dominance in the distance freestyle events. This is just the starting point for me and I got to keep pushing forward and see where I went wrong with my coach. I never like losing, especially oh stbronze, so this will motivate me.”

On how she processes a result like this:

“I hate losing more than I like winning and I think that’s a mentality that I carried with myself through my entire career and that’s my hand on the wall first most of the time.  The feeling right now is something I never want to feel again, this is how I felt in Fukuoka 2023 after the 400 free and at the Paris Olympics when I got silver in the 400 free. Moments like this are what I think about in training when I’m dying in a hard set and have to keep pushing. I’ll warm down, talk to my coach and all I’m thinking about is the 400 IM. I know I’m the favourite going in so it’s a bit of a different set-up. I’m excited to finish off this meet with a really strong swim and I have full confidence for the IM. I went into the 800 free with full confidence as well so I think this is a really big learning lesson for me.”

Mixed 4×100 Freestyle Relay — Final

• World Record: 3:18.83 — Australia (J. Cartwright, K. Chalmers, S. Jack, M. O’Callaghan) (2023)
• World Junior Record: 3:24.29 — Australia (F. Southam, E. Sommerville, O. Wunsch, M. Jansen) (2023)
• Championship Record: 3:18.83 — Australia (J. Cartwright, K. Chalmers, S. Jack, M. O’Callaghan) (2023)
• 2023 World Champion: Australia (J. Cartwright, K. Chalmers, S. Jack, M. O’Callaghan) — 3:18.83

Final: 

1. United States (Alexy, Sammon, Douglass, Huske) — 3:18.48 *World Record*
2. Neutral Athletes B (Kornev, Girev, Trofimova, Klepikova) — 3:19.68
3. France (Grousset, le Goff, Wattel, Gastaldello) — 3:21.35
4. Italy — 3:21.48
5. Netherlands — 3:21.71
6. Canada — 3:23.16
7. Spain — 3:24.87
8. Germany — 3:25.29

Flash Quotes

GOLD – UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Kate DOUGLASS (USA)

On how badly Team USA wanted the win:

“I think we all came out here tonight really wanting to get that first win for team USA. And to do it in a world record, I think we all knew in the back of our minds we had that ability. And I’m really happy with how that turned out.”

Torri HUSKE (USA)

On how deep she had to dig to be on the relay tonight:

“I gave it everything I had. They set me up really well, and I was just praying that I didn’t mess it up. But I felt super inspired watching Katie earlier and that got me going.”

Patrick SAMMON (USA)

On how much this win helps with momentum heading into the final day of the meet:

“I think it’s great. We got a bunch of finals tomorrow and I think this is going to get everyone hyped up and ready to go.”

On the race:

“I thought it was a great race. We’d come up short just a few times earlier in this week, and it just felt good to get back on top of the podium.

“It’s been a really long meet. A lot of people racing a lot of events, but I think the coolest part is that everyone stepped up. We all wanted to do this relay, we all wanted to go fast, and we had a lot of fun doing it. We were all texting last night about how excited we were, and I think that showed in the pool.”

Jack ALEXY (USA)

On what this win means:

“It’s amazing. It’s such an honour to be racing with my teammates, and we knew we’d get the job done and win. The world record was in the back of our minds, but really, it was easy to go through the ready room with these three people. As Patrick said, hopefully (this win) inspires some races tomorrow, but also the next three years going to LA.”

On confidence:

“I definitely had a lot of confidence in the ready room with Patrick, Kate, and Torri behind me. The team did a really good job this morning getting the job done, and we’ve just been building up each session. We knew we could definitely win tonight, and the world record was just an extra bonus, and it’s a great sign for tomorrow, the next three years leading to LA, so really excited.”

On ending the week with a gold and world record:

“It’s been a long week, a lot of racing, so to close it out with a world record and a gold medal with these guys is incredible. I’m super happy with the way I was able to finish this meet. It’s been a very successful one for me and Team USA as a whole.”

SILVER – NEUTRAL ATHLETES B

Ivan GIREV (NAB)

On what the result means:

“For me, it’s a big deal to come back after stopping for competition for a long time. A lot of things happened with my health and I stopped my training for a while and only came back in January this year, so I’m very happy to be here and show that I can (swim) close to my best time. There were some low days, but I’m here and I’m feeling good feelings. This week surprised me.

“I did my job 100 per cent. That was the first thing I thought.”

On the impact of the silver medal on his confidence:

“I just feel the best will be (coming) in the future and this is the first step. I’m racing tomorrow morning in the relay. It’s making me (feel) much more powerful and I’m ready to do it again right now, but I still have the race tomorrow morning.”

BRONZE – FRANCE

Maxime GROUSSET (FRA)

On racing the relay after the 100 fly:

“Very tough because I have just five minutes between my medal ceremony and my warm-up, it’s very hard to focus on the relay after. But I did it for the team.”

On the first French medal in this event since 2019:

“I’m very proud of this team. I’m very proud of those who swam in the morning. Two people, Rafael FENTE-DAMERS (FRA) and  Albane CACHOT (FRA), swam this morning and it’s very good. We did very great. We swim fast. It’s good.”