The United States swimming contingent concluded a challenging World Aquatics Championships in Singapore with an emphatic display of dominance, setting a new world record in the women’s 4×100 medley relay and ultimately securing their position at the pinnacle of the medal tables.
In a thrilling climax to the eight-day championships, the American women’s 4×100 medley relay squad delivered a phenomenal performance, clocking a time of 3 minutes, 49.34 seconds. This remarkable swim not only clinched the gold medal but also shattered their own previous world record of 3:49.63, established just a year prior at the Paris Olympics, showcasing their continued excellence in the Swimming World Championships.
Despite an initially frustrating meet, the US Swim Team rallied to finish the competition with an impressive haul of nine gold medals and 29 overall, decisively outpacing their closest rivals, Australia, who secured eight golds and 20 total medals. France and Canada followed with four gold medals each, notably highlighted by the stellar performance of 18-year-old Canadian sensation Summer McIntosh, who captured all four of her nation’s golds.
A significant factor impacting the US Swim Team’s up-and-down performances in Singapore was a widespread case of “acute gastroenteritis,” contracted during a pre-championship training camp in Thailand. This unforeseen malady clearly affected the athletes, making their eventual triumph even more commendable and a testament to their resilience during the World Aquatics Championships.
The team’s health notably improved over the latter half of the event, enabling the Americans to win four gold medals in the final two days after securing only five golds in the preceding six. “This is the best way to end the meet,” remarked Gretchen Walsh, underscoring the collective relief and pride within the US Swim Team as they showcased their depth and talent in the closing stages.
While the focus remained on the record-breaking relay, individual performances also stood out. American Bobby Finke, the reigning Paris Olympic 1,500-meter champion, earned a bronze medal in his event on Sunday. Finke, however, also used the opportunity to send a clear message to any critics back home, emphasizing the challenges and triumphs faced during the intense Aquatic Sports competition.
Beyond the American achievements, the championships celebrated other remarkable talents. Summer McIntosh’s individual brilliance was undeniable, as she secured her fourth gold medal by winning the 400 IM, narrowly missing her own world record. Another astounding highlight was the performance of 12-year-old Chinese prodigy Yu Zidi, who, despite finishing fourth in all three of her individual races, still managed to secure a bronze medal in a relay, having swum in the preliminary rounds.
Other notable global performances included Kliment Kolesnikov of the Neutral Athletes winning the men’s 50 backstroke, and Lithuania’s Ruta Meilutyte claiming the 50 breaststroke. Meg Harris of Australia took the women’s 50 free, while Ahmed Jaouadi of Tunisia added the 1,500 free title to his earlier 800 free victory, cementing his place among the top long-distance swimmers at the Swimming World Championships.
The championships concluded with the Neutral Athletes securing gold in the men’s 4×100 medley relay, marking their second gold of the night, followed by France and the United States. This collective display of talent, resilience, and record-breaking feats underscored the intensity and excitement of the World Aquatics Championships, providing fans with unforgettable moments and solidifying the Medal Count leaders.
