Swimming enthusiasts witnessed a world record being set on the first night of the U.S. Olympic Trials, with a crowd of 20,689 fans packing Lucas Oil Stadium.
This attendance figure surpassed the previous record of 16,000 spectators during a finals session at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.
In February, reports indicated that approximately 2,100 tickets had been sold for the event, and tickets were still being offered at discounted prices as recently as June 11.
Record-breaking crowd witnessing record-breaking performances
The energy in the U.S. Olympic Trials have been remarkable, with the record-breaking crowd in attendance being treated to Gretchen Walsh’s historic performance in the 100m butterfly event where she surpassed Sarah Sjostrom’s previous record from 2016.
Walsh, a standout from the University of Virginia, demonstrated her smooth transition to the 50-meter pool by setting the first world record of the Olympic Trials. She posted a time of 55.18 seconds in the semifinals of the 100-meter butterfly.
The 21-year-old Walsh will need to maintain a similar pace in the finals on Sunday night to secure her spot in the Paris Olympics. Torri Huske and Regan Smith also posted impressive times, clocking in at 55.79 and 55.92 seconds, respectively, both under 56 seconds.
The previous world record, set by Sjostrom in 2016, was 55.48 seconds. Huske had previously held the American record at 55.64 seconds.
Hometown hero
Homegrown talent, Aaron Shackell, 19, of Carmel, Indiana, became the first swimmer to secure a spot in the U.S. Olympic team for the 2024 Paris Olympics by winning the 400-meter freestyle in 3:45.46.
This achievement comes 28 years after his father, Nicholas Shackell, represented Great Britain at the 1996 Atlanta Games.
“Ever since I learned my dad was an Olympian, I’ve wanted to be an Olympian myself,” Shackell said via NBC’s Eric Goodman.
“He inspired me to go faster,” he continued.
Legendary Katie Ledecky making the Olympics a fourth straight time
Katie Ledecky effortlessly dominated the pool on Saturday night, securing her spot at her fourth Olympics. At the U.S. Olympic swimming trials, she surged ahead of her competitors, steadily increasing her lead by a body length, then three. Ledecky completed the 400 meters in 3:58.35, touching the wall to a wave of joyous cheers and qualifying for Paris 2024.
The 27 year-old is heading to her fourth Olympics, joining an elite group as only the ninth U.S. swimmer to qualify at least four times for the sport’s grandest stage.
The 4-time Olympian enters the Paris Olympics as an underdog, a role she has become somewhat familiar with since 2021. In Tokyo, Australia’s Ariarne Titmus dethroned her in the 400-meter freestyle, winning by 0.67 seconds in a memorable race. The following year, Titmus broke Ledecky’s world record, establishing a new hierarchy in the 400.
Katie Ledecky dominated the 400-meter freestyle from 2013 until around 2019. However, Titmus has since taken the crown. Canadian teenage phenom Summer McIntosh briefly held the world record in 2023, but Titmus reclaimed it, solidifying her position as the woman to beat in 2024.
Ledecky is still considered a top contender for gold in the 1,500 and 800 freestyle events. It’s anticipated that she will qualify for these key races during the upcoming week at the U.S. trials.
Sunday swimming schedule
Sunday night’s finals will showcase Carmel’s Kelly Pash competing in the 100 butterfly and Indiana University’s Josh Matheny in the 100 breaststroke. Alex Shackell and Pash may also participate in the semifinals of the 200 freestyle.
Lilly King will kick off her events with the heats and semifinals of the 100 breaststroke. In the men’s 200 freestyle semifinals, three Carmel swimmers, Drew Kibler, Jake Mitchell, and Aaron Shackell, could be in contention. Additionally, Will Modglin from Zionsville, a two-time national high school swimmer of the year, will aim for a spot in the semifinals of the 100 backstroke.
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