The United States concluded the World Swimming Championships with a spectacular finish, setting a world record in the women’s 4x100m medley relay during the final event of the eight-day tournament. Their time of 3:49.34 not only secured them gold but also broke their previous record of 3:49.63, established a year prior during the Paris Olympics.
Despite a challenging week, affected by acute gastroenteritis contracted at a training camp in Thailand, the American team rallied to conclude the championships with nine gold medals and a total of 29 medals, placing them ahead of Australia, which garnered eight golds and 20 total medals.
In the gold medal rankings, France and Canada followed closely behind, each achieving four golds, with Canadian sensation Summer McIntosh claiming all of them.
The Americans had faced difficulties in the early days of the championship, only securing five gold medals in the first six days. However, they bounced back impressively, clinching four golds in the final two days. The triumphant women’s relay team featured Regan Smith, Kate Douglass, Gretchen Walsh, and anchor swimmer Torri Huske. Walsh expressed joy over their performance, noting, “This is the best way to end the meet,” and highlighted their camaraderie and determination.
The Australian team, consisting of Kaylee McKeown, Ella Ramsay, Alexandria Perkins, and Mollie O’Callaghan, finished second, clocking in 3.33 seconds behind the United States.
In a show of support for their team, Bobby Finke, who won a bronze in the men’s 1500m, addressed critics, including swimming legends Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte. Finke defended his teammates’ achievements and stated his pride in their performance, suggesting that the team’s progress sets a promising stage for the upcoming 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
The championship’s final day showcased eight finals, with seven different teams securing victories. French swimmer Leon Marchand was a standout, winning two individual golds and breaking the world record in the men’s 200m individual medley. Meanwhile, McIntosh excelled with four individual gold medals, marking her as only the second woman in history to achieve such a feat within a single championship. Despite a minor setback, finishing third in the women’s 800m freestyle, McIntosh’s achievements were impressive. Additionally, the 12-year-old Chinese swimmer Yu Zidi made headlines with her remarkable fourth-place finishes in her individual events and a bronze medal in the relay.
Overall, the championships showcased intense competition and highlighted both emerging and established swimming talents, setting the stage for future events and the upcoming Olympics.