Not a lot of people thought Regan Smith had more steam left in her after yesterday’s stunning 57.47 seconds performance. However, the women’s 100m backstroke final had more thrills awaiting the fans, and the 22-year-old Olympic medalist didn’t disappoint. Five years after Smith put the world on notice at the World Junior Championships, she once again snatched the top position from Australian arch-rival Kaylee McKeown.

In the women’s 100m backstroke final at the Lucas Oil Stadium, Regan Smith breezed into a sensational 57.13 finish, recording yet another world record in the race. A recent post on X by Yanyan Li shared Smith’s latest feat with a triumphant caption, “Smith got her world record back in the 100 back,” as the accompanying image shows the massive display at the swimming trials showcasing an ecstatic Regan after her achievement.

Over the past month, Regan has consistently developed on her time in the 100m back. Less than a month ago, the Minnesota native broke the American record with a blazing 57.51. However, yesterday’s semifinal saw her shortening that time by 0.04 seconds yet to underscore her fixation on making it to the French capital in a bid to get into the ranks with the best stars of the event.

On the other hand, McKeown has retained the world record in the event ever since her 57.33 became the benchmark for women’s 100m back events. But Smith had different plans of her own going into the finals in Indiana. “It was part of the plan,” said Regan in an interview after reclaiming her high throne from her Australian foe, who secured her berth to Paris at the Australian trials in Brisbane last week. With that, Smith is now the latest to send out a sonorous message to the Australian swimmers, noting how Team USA will be heading to Paris to grab it all.

Regans Smith might compensate for Katie Ledecky

The intense rivalry between the USA and Australi in swimming events remains one of the most coveted competitions for the world’s swimming fans. However, only hours before Regan’s titillating show of prowess, one of her national teammates indicated harboring thoughts of foregoing her spot on the women’s 200m free at the upcoming Paris Olympics. Seven-time Olympic gold medalist Katie Ledecky has qualified for the 2024 Games in several events, including the 200m freestyle race. However, in light of the 27-year-old focused on defending her 1500m gold medal from Tokyo, Katie hinted that she might be opting out of the 200m race this time around.

If Ledecky ultimately does decide to stand down, Australia’s Ariarne Titmus will once again be the favorite to win the women’s 200m free, while Ledecky will be the best bet to win the 800m and 1500m races. Furthermore, the USA’s Olympic dream was bolstered on the very first day of the Team Trials as Gretchen Walsh snatched Sarah Sjostrom’s world record in the 100m fly race with a jaw-dropping 55.18-second finish in the prelims itself.

It goes without saying that Team USA is brimming with talent when it comes to the swimming department. Considering how the Australians aren’t far behind either, the clash between these two behemoths will be one for the history books when they meet on the banks of the Seine only weeks later.