Paris Olympics Medal Hopes Crushed for USA Swimming As Gretchen Walsh’s Sister Pulls Out of Main Event

Gretchen Walsh is a star swimmer from the University of Virginia, alongside her sister. The duo has helped Virginia to its fourth consecutive NCAA team title. Also, the team’s fifth consecutive ACC Championship title. Both of them made the Olympic Trials in 2016, with Gretchen being the youngest swimmer to do so. This year too, the swimming community pinned their hopes on her sister. 

However, in a turn of events, it was revealed on Sunday that Gretchen’s sister is reconsidering taking part in the biggest event. This comes as a blow to both the community and the fans who wanted to desperately watch the Olympic silver swimmer try her hand at the Paris event. This surprising move has prompted a strategic reassessment by the USA Swimming team as they aim for Olympic success in Paris.

Gretchen Walsh’s sister to forgo the 400m IM event

In a recent article on Swimming World Magazine, Gretchen Walsh’s sister, Alexandra “Alex” Walsh has pulled out of the 400m individual medley at the upcoming Olympic Trials. She will instead be focusing on the 200m IM and the breaststroke events. The decision came after a chat with her coach, Todd DeSorbo, who believes this is the correct route to take for Alex’s long-term goals. 

Alex said in a conference call, “Even though I was really proud of myself for trying a new event and dropping a lot of time, it’s really not my favorite event to swim.” She added, “Todd was saying the 400 IM it was kind of dulling the knife for my 200 IM, so I wanted to stay really speedy and sharp, still working on my endurance so that I can finish the race but prioritizing more of a speedier race.”

The decision can be partly because of Alex placing 4th at the 2023 World Championships in the 400m IM. Both Alex Walsh and her coach feel it is not her strongest suit. They are instead focusing on making the Olympic team with the 200m IM and 200m breaststrokes. Alex Walsh is Gretchen Walsh’s elder sister and the two are a talented pair of swimmers.

Alex made her sister proud at the NCAA Women’s Championships, where she won her 3rd consecutive title in the 400-yard IM with a time of 3:55:97, the second-fastest time in history. It was also 6 minutes faster than her previous season’s result. This was also the year she placed second at the US Nationals.

Alex attributed her win to the strong 400 IM training group at Virginia, saying, “It’s gotta be my training group. At Virginia, we are blessed to have one of the best 400 IM groups in the nation, and I couldn’t have done it without Ella Nelson. She’s like my third sister. Just thinking about that got me through the last 100, and I’m really happy I went 3:55. That was a big goal of mine.” At the event, she bested Emma Weyant of Florida who became the 13th fastest swimmer in history. 

Alex Walsh focuses on 200m IM for Olympic glory: A strategic move for Paris 

Though it was a strategic move on Alex Walsh’s part, the American Swimming community was banking on her to make them proud. But as part of Olympics preparation, Alex Walsh is training to narrow down the events in which she will shine. Her coach said recently. “To be one of the best two in the U.S., you’re probably one of the best two in the world, and that’s a whole different level than NCAAs.”

He added, “I try to tell them to narrow things down a little more than they might usually and focus on events that not only can they maybe make the U.S. Olympic team but what’s their best potential to medal at the Olympics.” However, if Alex Walsh’s confidence is to be believed, by training for 200m IM only, she may be able to fully focus on that event and ultimately make the team to get a medal.

She has already shown her prowess in the 200m event. Especially by winning silver in the Tokyo Games and gold in several Worlds. So there is no need to worry that she will not be able to recreate magic once again underwater. This event will be key for qualifying to the Paris Summer Olympics and we are all waiting in anticipation to see who makes the team.