Top-tier Olympic swimmers Phelps and Lochte disappoint at the US World Championships meet
The United States swimming team is gearing up for a comeback, seeking to reclaim its competitive edge for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The team, currently participating in the ongoing World Aquatics Championships in Singapore, has faced a challenging week, with some athletes affected by a gastroenteritis outbreak.
Kate Douglass, a rising star in the US team, described the week as "rough," but the team remains focused on improving and preparing for the upcoming Olympics. The competition, which spans nine days, has seen the US team earn five gold medals so far, placing them at the top in terms of total medals, with a total of 20. However, they are closely followed by Australia, who have secured five gold medals during the same period.
The gastroenteritis outbreak before the championships affected many swimmers, including Gretchen Walsh and Carson Foster, leading to withdrawals from key events. Despite these setbacks, the US team has demonstrated resilience and determination in their performances, setting a world record in the mixed 4x100m freestyle relay.
The team's performance at the World Championships has been seen as somewhat disappointing compared to past standards, with some former champions like Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte expressing disappointment. Lochte, a 12-time Olympic medalist with six gold medals, shared an image on Instagram featuring a tombstone for United States Swimming with the dates 1980-2025, implying a potential wake-up call for USA swimming. Phelps, another Olympic swimmer with 23 gold and 28 medals, shared Lochte's post.
The tombstone inscription reads, "In loving memory of United States Swimming," and "They set the bar high - until they stopped reaching for it." Lochte added the caption, "Call it a funeral or call it a fresh start. We've got 3 years."
Despite the challenges and the wake-up call, the US team has marked a turning point with riskier, more difficult routines in events like artistic swimming, showing a commitment to progress and future success. The team headed to Singapore for the World Championships with the aim of using the event as a stepping stone towards the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Kate Douglass, who won the gold medal in the 200m breaststroke event on Friday, echoed this sentiment, stating that despite the challenges, the team has managed to compete effectively. The US team's goal remains to continue improving and preparing for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Sources:
- AFP (Associated Press) - 2025
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The United States swimming team, in the midst of the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore, has demonstrated resilience and determination, even after a gastroenteritis outbreak and setbacks. Coupled with their successes, such as setting a world record in the mixed 4x100m freestyle relay, they remain focused on their goal of reclaiming their competitive edge for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics in sports. Despite the wake-up call from athletes like Ryan Lochte, the team continues to strive for progress and future victories, showcasing their commitment to their pursuit in the United States.
