Kate Douglass Reveals ‘Extremely Sick’ Side of Her Doha Swimming Worlds Performance

Several swimmers have emerged at the Doha World Aquatics Championships this year, writing their names in the annals of history. Among them, the 22-year-old Kate Douglass, who has the 200m IM Olympic bronze under her belt, is pitching up for another Olympics. At the TYR Pro Series, the young gun has dominated the 100m and 200m. But the 200 IM champ may face a small snag as the 200 IM and 50 freestyle collide at the Olympics.

The Doha Worlds 50m freestyle second finisher will naturally look to add wins to her 50m list. But she is sticking to the 200m IM at the marquee event. But for the swimmer of such a measure, getting rest, chalking a schedule and everything related is the biggest concern. Let’s hear the reigning champ speak in a podcast.

Kate Douglass sheds light on how time is the deciding factor

In a podcast named “After Breaking the American Record, Kate Douglass May Not Swim the 50 Free at Olympic Trials” by SwimSwam, host Coleman Hodges invited the New Yorker for a candid chit-chat session. When asked, “As an American you’re going halfway around Managing Time Difference/Travel the world it’s a it’s a huge time difference um how do you try to settle in?” 

Qatar is 8 hours ahead of the USA, which naturally makes it difficult for the athletes to adjust to the huge time difference. So, Douglass said, “I mean it’s definitely tough and it was even harder this time because usually we give ourselves like a solid two weeks I feel like before the meet starts to get adjusted”.

She further continued, “I wasn’t really sleeping much and I was kind of sick like that whole first like week.” Being in another country competing comes at a cost. Away from home-comfort can also cut out on proper nutrition, recovery, and other things. Kate Douglass’ case was also not an exception. Let’s take a look at her historic feat in Doha.

Douglass’ 50m freestyle phenomenal performance

Getting outpaced by Swedish great Sarah Sjostrom didn’t leave Douglass depressed. Clocking in at 23.96s, the silver finisher of the day also secured her name as the fastest 50m freestyler American in the annals of history. Her Swedish counterpart, Sjostrom achieved the pole position in 23.69s.

READ MORE: Kate Douglass and Claire Curzan: Two American Women That Shocked the World at Doha Aquatics Championship

Standing with two golds in her five-medal bag, Douglass walked home with a wide smile from Doha World Championships. At the 2023 World Championships, she won six medals which included two shiny golds. Now, eyeing the Olympics, she will look to defend her 200m title and make another history in the Spanish capital.

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