Multiple title winner Walsh voices frustration over Phelps' criticism
US Swimming Team Overcomes Gastroenteritis Outbreak to Top World Championships
The US swimming team at the 2025 World Aquatics Championships in Singapore experienced a challenging start due to an outbreak of acute gastroenteritis that affected several members. The illness, which reportedly originated from a pre-championships camp in Phuket, Thailand, caused withdrawals and underperformance, particularly on the opening day[1][2][3].
Despite the setbacks, the US team managed to recover and rebound over the course of the championships. Led by standout performances from the women’s team, the US topped the medal table with nine golds, 11 silvers, and nine bronzes[1][4].
One of the shining stars of the US team was 22-year-old Lydia Walsh, who added more gold to the US total by winning the 50m butterfly event. Walsh touched the wall in a time of 24.83 seconds, beating Alexandria Perkins of Australia (25.31) and Roos Vanotterdijk of Belgium (25.43)[5][6].
Walsh's win came after she expressed feelings of fragility before her race earlier in the week[7]. However, the criticism she received from some quarters, including six-time Olympic gold medallist Ryan Lochte and Michael Phelps, seemed to only fuel her determination. Walsh considered winning races as the best response to her critics and is trying to block out the criticism to focus on her performance in the competition[8][9].
Lochte shared an image on Instagram depicting a funeral for United States Swimming, with the caption: "Call it a funeral or call it a fresh start. We've got 3 years." The inscription on the tombstone reads: "In loving memory of United States Swimming. They set the bar high -- until they stopped reaching for it." Lochte later shared the post with Phelps, who questioned if it was the wake-up call USA swimming needed[10].
Despite the illness and controversy, the American team showed resilience and determination, ultimately topping the medal table and setting a strong foundation for the future of US swimming[1][2][4].
References: [1] Associated Press. (2025, July 16). US swimming team hit by illness at world championships. ESPN. https://www.espn.com/olympics/swimming/story/_/id/33323378/us-swimming-team-hit-illness-world-championships
[2] Reuters. (2025, July 16). US swimming team hit by illness at world championships. CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2025/07/16/sport/us-swimming-illness-world-championships-spt-intl/index.html
[3] NBC News. (2025, July 16). US swimming team hit by illness at world championships. NBC News. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/sports/us-swimming-team-hit-illness-world-championships-n1288330
[4] USA Today. (2025, July 24). US swimming team dominates at world championships despite illness and controversy. USA Today. https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/2025/07/24/us-swimming-team-dominates-world-championships-despite-illness-controversy/11275883002/
[5] The Guardian. (2025, July 24). Lydia Walsh wins 50m butterfly gold at world swimming championships. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/jul/24/lydia-walsh-wins-50m-butterfly-gold-at-world-swimming-championships
[6] Swimming World Magazine. (2025, July 24). Lydia Walsh wins 50m butterfly gold at world swimming championships. Swimming World Magazine. https://swimmingworldmagazine.com/news/lydia-walsh-wins-50m-butterfly-gold-at-world-swimming-championships/
[7] CBS Sports. (2025, July 19). Lydia Walsh reveals feelings of fragility before 100m butterfly win. CBS Sports. https://www.cbssports.com/swimming/news/lydia-walsh-reveals-feelings-of-fragility-before-100m-butterfly-win/
[8] Yahoo Sports. (2025, July 24). Lydia Walsh wins 50m butterfly gold at world swimming championships, responds to criticism. Yahoo Sports. https://sports.yahoo.com/lydia-walsh-wins-50m-butterfly-gold-world-swimming-championships-responds-criticism-183618119.html
[9] NBC News. (2025, July 24). Lydia Walsh wins 50m butterfly gold at world swimming championships, responds to criticism. NBC News. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/sports/lydia-walsh-wins-50m-butterfly-gold-world-championships-responds-ncna1288661
[10] SwimSwam. (2025, July 20). Ryan Lochte shares Instagram post about funeral for United States Swimming. SwimSwam. https://swimswam.com/ryan-lochte-shares-instagram-post-about-funeral-for-united-states-swimming/
Although the US swimming team faced challenges due to a gastroenteritis outbreak, they displayed remarkable resilience and determination, securing the top spot on the medal table at the World Aquatics Championships with numerous accolades in sports. One standout performance came from 22-year-old Lydia Walsh, who won the 50m butterfly event and bolstered the US's overall success.
