The Impressive Aspects of Gretchen Walsh's Performance in Budapest
Gretchen Walsh has been causing a stir since the commencement of the 2024 swimming season. In the yard-pool, she maximized her flexibility and utilized her powerful underwater dolphin kickouts at the 2024 NCAA championships, clinching seven titles while shattering records in four events. swiftly following, the US Olympic trials arrived. Walsh, who missed the cut for the 2021 Olympics and 2022 World Championships due to fear of long-course swims, conquered her anxieties by refining her technique to incorporate the added length and power needed for her strokes.
Emanating the message that she's more than just a recreational swimmer, Walsh joined Team U.S.A. in Paris, qualifying for the 50 free, 100 fly (establishing a new LCM world record of 55.18), and 4x100 relay at the trials. At her maiden Olympics, the 21-year-old swimmer's "ambition" materialized, securing an Olympic medal "for her nation." In keeping with present-day traditions, Walsh continued her record-breaking streak and clinched two of her Olympic golds with records (mixed 4×100 medley relay (3:37.43), 4×100 medley relay (3:49.63), and two silver medals in individual events 100 fly (55.38, Olympic record) and 4x100 free relay, respectively).
After Paris, nothing changed. Walsh continued to break records in yard pools during college meets, but her ultimate achievement was yet to come. Walsh's true swimming prowess was brought to light at the 2024 Short-Course Championships in Budapest. Notably, months prior to the event, in a solitary 25-meter race dual meet against Florida, Walsh obliterated three American records and set a new world record in 100 IM, offering fans a glimpse of what was to come in Budapest. However, the swimmer surpassed everyone's predictions and cemented herself as one of the most successful short-course swimmers at the championships.
She claimed the most victories at the 2024 Short-Course Championships. With 11 records and seven gold medals, the Virginia University senior etched her name in history as the swimmer who set the most records by one swimmer in a single meet. Michael Phelps' Olympic run of 2008, where he clinched 8 gold medals and set 7 record-breaking wins, and Mark Spitz's record-breaking seven gold medals, all achieved at the 1972 Olympics, were the previous records.
Beyond the 100-meter freestyle gold, all of Walsh's victories broke either one or multiple records. Walsh's overall performance in Budapest included:
50-meter freestyle: gold (two world records)
100m freestyle: gold (second-fastest and third-fastest times in history)
50-meter butterfly: gold (two world records)
100-meter butterfly: gold (three world records)
100-meter individual medley: gold (two world records)
4x100-meter freestyle relay: gold (one world record)
4x100-meter medley relay: gold (one world record)
Although Walsh had a remarkable debut in the long-course pool in Paris, her short-course performances remain unmatched. In the short-course, which is 60% underwater, Walsh, whose main strength lies in her speed, took full advantage of quick turns and created history. Walsh, who led the Virginia Cavaliers towards their fourth consecutive national title in the spring, has been a dominant NCAA swimmer. Given that the short-course pool is only slightly longer than the 25-yard pool, she was able to carry over her success.
How Much Money Did Gretchen Walsh Make?
Interestingly, alongside these victories, Walsh earned a large sum of money. According to World Aquatics, each individual or relay record awards $25,000. Furthermore, swimmers also receive a $10,000 bonus for a double crown, i.e., winning an entire event throughout all stops of the World Cup and World Championships.
With Walsh's nine individual records at the Short-Course Championships, she garnered a substantial amount of $225,000. Additionally, her two relay record victories earned her $6,250 from each (the money is split between the participants of the relay). As per World Aquatics, Walsh is the fourth "highest-earning swimmer of 2024, based solely on prize money and performance bonuses at World Aquatics events," amassing a total of $275,000.00.
Walsh, Regan Smith, Kate Douglass, and Luke Hobson's record-breaking performances resulted in a grand total of 18 gold, 13 silver, and 8 bronze medals for Team U.S.A., securing the best team award overall.
Overall, the 2024 season has been remarkable for Walsh. From conquering the fear of never achieving a win in a long-course pool to creating history in Paris and Budapest, she has consistently delivered exceptional performances till the end of the year. While 25-meter wins differ from achieving podium finishes in 50-meter meets, Walsh is undeniably the greatest swimmer in short-course at present.
The question on everyone's minds is whether Walsh can maintain her momentum at the 2025 Worlds. Facing competition from teammate Torri Huske and Swedish legend Sarah Sjostrom, fans are eagerly anticipating witnessing Walsh's display of prowess in the 50-meter pools after her breakthrough in Paris.
Gretchen Walsh continued to demonstrate her exceptional swimming skills in yard pools during college meets, breaking several records. Following her success at the Short-Course Championships, Gretchen Walsh honed her skills for the 2025 Worlds, aiming to maintain her momentum and prove her dominance in the 50-meter pools.
