Paris Olympics 2024

By Riley Crowe

The spring and summer seasons hold a busy and important time for college and professional swimmers—conference, NCAA, and the Tokyo 2024 Summer Olympics all fall within a six month span. Back-to-back meets, training, and travel is physically and mentally exhausting for athletes, however, the hard work and determination to meet goals will push the swimmers forward.

The beginning of February held the FINA World Championships, located in Doha, Qatar this year, lasting from the 2nd to the 28th. Fans were greeted with spectacular lights, choirs, projections, and the overall theme of the event—“In water there are no borders'.' 

Nada Mohammed Wafa, the first woman to represent Qatar in the London 2012 Olympics, was there to back the message of unity within water sports. The large show paid tribute to all six aquatic sports competing over the next 17 days. Along with many white flags to symbolize unity and peace, two mascots were created for the 2024 worlds to connect with people. Nahim and Mayfara, a whale shark and coral respectively, could be seen on many advertisement banners for the 2024 Worlds. Each swimmer who medaled was also given a stuffed Nahim. The swimming events were held from the 11th to 18th, and the US was able to collect 20 medals during the time—eight gold, six silver, and six bronze. Female US swimmer Claire Curzan, from University of Virginia, was named Female Swimmer of the Meet after racking up an incredible six of the 20 medals. Doha Worlds 2024 provided an amazing message of connection through water sports and a chance for swimmers all over the world to show their hard work.

In mid-February, multiple conferences competed to see who would get a chance to move onto the NCAA swimming and diving championships. 27 conferences met in multiple pools around the nation to compete. It took about a month for all teams to compete and to get the results back for who was moving onto the championships. Media coverage was focused on many teams, but the main focus was on Virginia with the Walsh sisters, and Arizona State with Leon Marchand. 

Gretchen Walsh was able to secure four new NCAA records in the ACC Championships, and then beat most of those times in the NCAA Championships. In the 50 Freestyle, she swam a 20.41 in conference and then a 20.31 in the championships, beating Maggie McNeils 20.79 just from the year before. Her current 100 Butterfly, 100 Freestyle, and 100 Backstroke records are 47.42, 44.83 and 48.25, respectfully. Her sister, Alex Walsh, was able to secure the 200 Butterfly record with a 1:49.16. This being said, the Walsh sisters are a blazing duo in the water. 

Going from the ACC to the PAC 12, Leon Marchand blew out an insane 4:02.31 in the 500 freestyle. For reference, a 4:40 is considered one of the best times in highschool swimming.  This, of course, broke his own previous record of 4:06.18, just an absolutely incredible race. Leon was captured by the media eye last year after breaking records at conference, but mainly for breaking Michael Phelps 400 Individual Medley time with a 4:02.50, Phelps’ last remaining record.

Also notable, on the commentating side, Kyle Sockwell was the voice for the Big 12 conference this year. Sockwell is an Arizona State alumni and frequently highlights and breaks down swims on his Instagram page. His love and passion for swimming is almost comparable to Rowdy Gaines, whose excitement and knowledge of swimming was shown during the Big 12 broadcast and always in his videos.

During late March, the Women's NCAA Championships were held in Athens, Georgia from March 20th to the 23rd. Preliminaries were held in the morning with finals in the afternoon—a grueling schedule. The meet was won by the Cavaliers, University of Virginia, defending their now three year winning title. On the Men's side, Arizona State was able to lead their programs first-ever win in the National Championship. Their meet was in Indianapolis, Indiana from March 27th to the 30th. Many more records were set, further proving the point that these swimmers are incredible athletes.

Invitationals, conference, NCAA Championships, Worlds- these all eventually feed into the Olympic Trials for top performers, and finally, onto who will be swimming for Team USA. A swimmer must make an A or B Cut for the Olympics, a specific set time, and those who make the A cut are considered faster and have better priority over a spot in the Olympics. Trials will be held in June from the 15th to the 23rd and, for the first time ever, in the Lucas Oil football field in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Caeleb Dressel is back

To be completely honest, any athlete (especially swimmers) needs a break. Whether it's for your mental or physical health or even just to save your love of the sport, athletes need a break. Which is exactly what Caeleb Dressel did, 8 months to be exact. Dressel disappeared from the public eye last year to regain his physical and mental strength, shoulder issues and burnout (swimmers life story right there, not even kidding). He was able to rekindle his love for the sport, after an injury and not being able to swim for about a month, he realized he really did love swimming and wanted to be back in. So here we are, Paris 2024 and Dressel, a new father, is back and ready. Now, will his times be what they were? Most likely not, he’s taken time off and that really shows in swimming. However, he is still an incredibly fast swimmer and has worked harder than most, absolutely, and his times will be on the podium. With his new love for the sport and his wife and baby boy cheering him on, he will be around for at least 2 more Olympics. 

Last Olympics for Katie Ledecky?

I’d be completely surprised and upset if you haven't heard of Ledecky yet. 10 Olympic medals (7, of which, are gold), 26 championship medals and holds the top 30 best times in the 800 meter freestyle. She went to her first Olympics in London 2012 at just 15 and now 2024 will be her 4th Olympics. Also if you Google “Best Female Swimmer”, her name is the first to pop up. I think 2024 will be no different than her past performances, she will come in the top finishers of her event if not first. A question has also arisen since she has been competing so long, will this be her last? As of now, Lededecky is 27, and looking how Micheal Phelps retired when he was 31 and most retire after their 5 Olympics, she at least will be around for 2 more Olympics. Summer Macntosh and Ariana Titmus have both beaten her in the 800 m free, I can't imagine she would go out now and not defend her titles for longer.

Walsh Sister Domination

We saw both Alex and Gretchen dominating in the NCAAs, so it will be no surprise to see them on the podium in Paris. Both swimming for Virgina, which is known as one of the best swim programs in the NCAA, their hard work and training from the best shows. Combined they have 24 NCAA Championship titles, 24-All American honors and 14 NCAA records. With about two and a half more months to prepare for trials and the top trainers and coaches with them, they will be the on the podium. 

Jordan Crooks

Jordan Crooks, swimming for the University of Tennessee, was able to join the club of under 18 seconds in the 50 yard freestyle, clocking in at a 17.93 last year and a 17.99 at the SEC Conference. His times were the third and fourth male times to ever go under 18 in the 50 free, alongside Caeleb Dressel from his prime at Florida. Smokey’s right alongside the Gators in the swim world, easily. Now, if Crooks is showing the world that he is able to train hard and rest appropriately and go sub 18 two years in a row, he certainly can in the Olympics. If he gives it all he's got, he will positively take a medal and a new best time home.

Leon Marchand for the Books Again

Look, this kid can swim. He’s only in his twenties amd breaking Micheal Phelps’ record?? Hes going to be around for a long time and continuously setting records. He’s extremely fast, his longer distance races are his forte. That being said, he will medal if not get gold. It also will not be surprising if he is able to break a record, he is extremely hardworking and it shows.