Ever wondered what it’s like to swim your way into an Olympic fever dream? Just ask Gretchen Walsh, who hands down one of the most unforgettable runs at the 2024 Paris Olympics. It all started in a rather glum way, with her finishing fourth in the women’s 50m freestyle. Soon after, however, Gretchen went on to win the team gold in the 4x100m medley relay. Talk about an emotional whiplash moment!

Post-Paris, however, Gretchen went on a break. She was recently spotted on the pitch alongside Kate Douglass, Paige Madden, and Emma Weber. The MLB game between the Washington Nationals and Philadelphia Phillies honored the swimmers, who even threw the first pitch. Despite coming off high-pressure waters, Gretchen seems to be missing the high of the Olympics, so much so that she went on to reminisce about her days in Paris pools.

Gretchen, reminiscing, went on to say, “Being here, seeing the French crowd was insane.” She also went on to talk about being a part of Team USA and said, “I always wanted to be a part of it. And here I am, getting to represent my country at the highest level.” The adrenaline and spirit of the games did not just win her a gold but shaped her next dream!

“I want to be at home competing for Team USA at the LA 2028 Olympics. Honestly, this is the first time admitting it to anyone, but I think I want to go for that,” said Gretchen. And why wouldn’t she? She, after all, went home with four Olympic medals in just one year. However, this wasn’t her first time at the Olympics. She was also at the 2020 U.S. Olympic trials in Omaha. Gretchen clocked 27.02 seconds in the 50-meter butterfly and finished eighth in the 100-meter butterfly preliminary.

Unfortunately, heartbreak followed. In the semi-finals, Gretchen ranked twelfth with a time of 58.46 seconds. Despite getting a personal best in the 50-meter freestyle semifinals, she finished fifth in the final. This left her out of the US team. The 2024 season was her response to the world that thought that her journey might end in 2020. However, Gretchen is not letting that thought sit for another second anymore.

“I have a long career in sight for me, and I’m excited that it’s getting started on such a high note,” said Gretchen confidently. Indeed, her journey has only just begun. Gretchen is only 21 and already holds six Junior World Championship Golds and five Junior Pan Pac Championship Golds. And one thing she has made abundantly clear is that she is not stopping any time soon! However, dealing with the pressures and high-level performance is not an easy task. Good thing she isn’t doing it alone!

So what keeps Gretchen Walsh swimming?

In the highly competitive world of swimming, one question lingers in the air uncomfortably. Why does Gretchen Walsh keep coming back for more? The answer lies not in the medals or records she breaks but in her blood. Gretchen Walsh does it to honor two very important women of her life. Alex Walsh, her sister, and the deep-rooted legacy of her mother, Glynis, a former collegiate swimmer. Growing up with a mother who was also a swimmer came with its own pressures.

Gretchen and Alex grew up in a household where ambition was paramount. “We always tell each other that we are stronger together,” Alex has shared. While the strength seemed to be seen in Gretchen’s performances, Alex, who was also at the Paris Olympics, faltered big time. While Gretchen continued to stack medals, Alex had to face disqualification in the 200m individual medley. A loss that impacted Gretchen heavily as it came moments before her Team USA swim. She did not let in bring her down. Instead, she swam “in her (Alex’s) honor.”

As Gretchen Walsh moves to the next chapter of her journey, the only question remaining is, will Alex Walsh also be seen at LA2028? Imagine getting to watch the sisterhood in action once again, but this time on their home turf! Bonded by blood and ambition, the Walsh sisters might just make it to the top of the watchlist for LA2028.