The US Olympic swimming trials have begun with a bang, with Gretchen Walsh setting a world record in the women’s 100m butterfly to send a message to the world a month before the Paris Games.
Walsh, who led from the outset, looked up in disbelief after she touched the wall in 55.18 seconds.
Her performance, in a semi-final heat, beat the previous record of 55.48 set by Sweden’s Sarah Sjostrom in 2016.
The trials will determine the US team for Paris and are being held over nine nights at the Lucas Oil Stadium, home of the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts.
Minutes later, Katie Ledecky – the holder of seven Olympic gold medals – qualified for her fourth Games with victory in the 400m freestyle.
Ledecky finished second over the same distance to Australia’s Ariarne Titmus at the Tokyo Olympics last time out.
https://thewest.com.au/sport/swimming/walsh-sets-butterfly-world-record-at-us-olympic-trials-c-15036233