After the fireworks of the first two days, the 2024 US Swimming Olympic Trials reached its third day with high expectations. The day featured four finals, including the first relay selection final for the American team. Additionally, hometown swimmer Katie Grimes was set to compete in the 400m IM, while the 200m freestyle boasted a stacked lineup.

Simone Manuel, the first Black woman to win an individual Olympic gold, was ready to turn the tables against names like Katie Ledecky and Claire Weinstein in the 200m free final. On the other hand, Ryan Murphy was ready to continue his pursuit of Olympic gold in the 100m back. So, the trial finals had everything to be spiced up. Here is the recap of all the happenings on day 3 from the Lucas Oil Stadium.

The 2024 US Olympic swimming trials with surprises and heartbreaks 

Katie Grimes, the open water phenom from the Nevada Sandpipers, had to surpass names like Emma Weyant and Leah Hayes in the 400m IM final. With her parents watching from the stands, a loud cheer was ready to boost her mood. Eventually, Grimes didn’t disappoint anyone as she touched the yellow wall in 4:35.00 minutes, defeating the Tokyo Olympics medalist Emma Weyant. However, the prodigy Lilla Bognar gave both these Olympians a hard time in the event. Ultimately, her bravado earned her third place.

The next contest held special significance, as it determined the men’s relay team for the Paris Olympics. Tokyo Olympics medalist Kieran Smith topped the favorite list since the semifinals. He was joined by Luke Hobson and Drew Kibler. However, in the final, Kieran Smith slipped to fourth position, while Chris Guiliano secured second. Thus, the current team consists of four swimmers: Luke Hobson, Chris Guiliano, Drew Kibler, and Kieran Smith. The wunderkind, Aaron Shackell, couldn’t make a mark.

The third event was the 100m backstroke semi-final in the women’s category and it had several big names in the lineup. Among them, Regan Smith was poised for victory, completing the semi-final in 57.47 seconds, setting a new American record in the event. Katherine Berkoff secured the second place with a time of 57.83 seconds. The results included several ties.

As Regan Smith turned up the heat in the 100m backstroke event at Lucas Oil Stadium, the responsibility to continue with the baton went to Ryan Murphy. The job wasn’t easy for him because of Hunter Armstrong’s presence at the same event.

In the semifinal round, the NYAC swimmer had collected praise for his king-size dive in the pool. So yet another magic from him was on the card in the final. However, Ryan Murphy didn’t lose his mojo after facing such extraordinary technicalities. Rather, he used his experience of the event. And at the end of the contest, that factor kept him at the top position (52.22 seconds). Ultimately, the Paris contest will be Ryan’s 3rd Olympic appearance. His parents and wife were in the stands to witness Ryan adding another chapter to his ‘diary’. Meanwhile, Hunter tried his best. But 0.64 seconds reaction time parked him in second position. 

However, the biggest surprise of the evening followed subsequently. In the 100m breaststroke final event in the women’s category, Emma Weber defeated Lydia Jacoby, the reigning Olympic champion to get the second position. Notably, Emma Weber had to swallow a bitter pill at the last Olympic trial against the same opponent. However, the topper was Lilly King (1:05.43 minutes), the 2016 gold medalist at the same event. Hailing from Indiana, she had no lack of support from the stands. And in the next event, the stands had to choose its favorite swimmer. 

After the battle of Olympic champions, the needle turned to the battle of the legends as the women’s 200m freestyle event was underway. The roster had names like Katie Ledecky, Claire Weinstein, and Simone Manuel. Furthermore, Indy’s home girl Katie Grimes was also scheduled to enter the event. However, the combined challenges from these stars fell short of keeping Katie Ledecky away from taking her second qualification for the Paris Olympics. She finished the race 0.96 ahead of her closest opponent, Claire Weinstein. However, both Simone Manuel and Katie Grimes had to face defeat in the event. 

Ultimately, the evening ended with Katie Ledecky’s performance. She looked solid today and her performance proved that part. Furthermore, Ryan Murphy proved that he is still a force to be reckoned with, despite the comet-like rise of his opponents. Surely, snippets like these will rouse confidence among the USA Swimming fans.