Why Was Team USA’s Alex Walsh Disqualified? Why Did the Swimming Star Lose Her Bronze Medal at Paris Olympics?

The Paris La Defense Arena was set for a close tussle in the women’s 200m Individual Medley. American fans were looking forward to Kate Douglass and Alex Walsh blazing to victory. However, the Americans were crestfallen as mid-race, Alex Walsh, who was the Tokyo silver medalist in the event got disqualified. Well, the result? Canadian Summer McIntosh clutched the first spot, while Douglass got silver, and Walsh’s hopes remained dashed.

But what happened to cause this last-minute twist? Well, apparently Walsh flipped too early and was edged out of the race for taking an illegal turn. While switching from her backstroke leg to the breaststroke, Walsh rotated fully onto her stomach before touching the wall. One mistake, and that turn cost her the bronze medal, as she originally completed third to Douglass.

Given Walsh’s error and consequent disqualification, Australia’s Kaylee McKeown, who clocked 2:08.08 was declared the third finisher. What’s more disheartening is that Walsh’s timing was an entire second ahead of the McKeown. It was not hundreths, but an entire second’s lead that she held over the Australian, with her 02:07.06. Despite that, the transitioning fault led the entire table to to move up a rank, while Walsh’s name plunged from the third to last. Adding to the disaster, this was Walsh’s only event at Paris and now that will have ‘DSQ’ displayed in place of her name.

Keeping all eggs in one basket worsens Alex Walsh’s heartbreak

2 months ago, Alex and her coach made a decision. Will she be repenting it now? As a strategic move, she decided to forego her main event, the 400m Individual Medley and narrow down all the winning possibilities at the one shot. She literally had 4 laps across the pool in Bercy Arena to make it count. Sadly, that has ended is a full-blown tragedy too. As part of a conference call, Walsh had said, “Todd [Her coach] 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.”  

Nonetheless, this doesn’t discount the fact that Alex is a star in the water. Just liker her sister Gretchen Walsh, Alex, the University of Virginia alum has an illustrious collegiate career behind her. This season, she was part of the college squad that bagged their fourth on-the-trot NCAA Division I Championships title. And even before that, it felt that sky was the limit for Alex. With 19 NCAA Championships and 27-All-American titles, she was charged up for global success. Indeed, she was on that path, as just the last Olympic cycle, Walsh made it to the 200m Individual medley and finished second in her maiden stint. But, time she was doomed by her own regrettable mistake. What do you think of her disqualification? Let us know below.