The world record holder in 100m butterfly, Gretchen Walsh, was born on January 29, 2003. She began swimming as a kid, and in 2016, she was the youngest swimmer ever to compete at the U.S. Olympic Trials at the age of 13. She also has an older sister, Alex, who is also at par in swimming achievements; out of the duo, Gretchen alone holds 21 All-ACC awards and 18 NCAA Championships. The Walsh sisters went to the University of Virginia and are on Team USA’s swimming team together.
At the 2019 World Junior Championships, Gretchen won six golds, while at the 2022 NCAA Championships, she won five golds and two silvers. At the 2024 NCAA Championships, she won seven gold medals at the 4×50 yd medley, 50 yd freestyle, 4×50 yd freestyle, 100 yd butterfly, 4×100 yd medley, 100 yd freestyle, and 4×100 yd freestyle. She also qualified for the 2024 Paris Olympics through the U.S. Olympic Trials held in June.
Gretchen Walsh’s Speed
At the 2024 U.S. Swimming Trials, Gretchen established a world record in the 100-meter butterfly, clocking in at 55.18 seconds.
Walsh was swimming in the women's 100-meter butterfly semi-final when she broke a new Olympic record and beat the previous record of Sarah Sjostrom of 55.48 seconds by finishing the race in 55.38 seconds.
Further, during the 2024 trials, Walsh secured the top seed in the women's 100-meter butterfly preliminary heats with a time of 55.94. Her previous personal best of 56.14, which she recorded at the San Antonio Pro Swim Series, was improved by 0.2 seconds. Along with being the second-fastest American and sixth-fastest performer of all time, she also becomes the seventh woman in history to complete the event in sub-56 seconds.
Gretchen Walsh’s personal bests as per the World Aquatics are as follows:
| Event | Time | Medal | Pool Len. | Age | Competition | Date |
| Women 50 Freestyle | 24.06 | - | 50m | 21 | 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials | 22/06/2024 |
| Women 100 Freestyle | 53.13 | Bronze | 50m | 21 | 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials | 19/06/2024 |
| Women 200 Freestyle | 02:01.12 | - | 50m | 16 | Mare Nostrum - Trofeu Internacional Ciutat de Barcelona 2019 | 15/06/2019 |
| Women 50 Backstroke | 27.54 | Bronze | 50m | 20 | 2023 Phillips 66 | 29/06/2023 |
| Women 100 Backstroke | 59.8 | - | 50m | 19 | Phillips 66 National Championships (50m) 2022 | 29/07/2022 |
| Women 50 Butterfly | 25.11 AM NR | Gold | 50m | 20 | 2023 Phillips 66 | 28/06/2023 |
| Women 100 Butterfly | 55.18 WR | - | 50m | 21 | 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials | 15/06/2024 |
| Women 200 Medley | 02:15.67 | - | 50m | 16 | Mare Nostrum - Trofeu Internacional Ciutat de Barcelona 2019 | 16/06/2019 |
| Women 4x100 Freestyle Relay | 03:30.20 AM NR | Silver | 50m | - | Olympic Games Paris 2024 | 27/07/2024 |
| Women 4x200 Freestyle Relay | 07:57.93 | Gold | 50m | - | Junior Pan Pacific Swimming Championships 2018 | 24/08/2018 |
| Women 4x100 Medley Relay | 03:52.08 | Gold | 50m | - | World Aquatics Championships - Fukuoka 2023 | 30/07/2023 |
| Mixed 4x100 Freestyle Relay | 03:25.92 WJ CR | Gold | 50m | - | 7th FINA World Junior Swimming Championships 2019 | 22/08/2019 |
| Mixed 4x100 Medley Relay | 03:44.84 WJ CR | Gold | 50m | - | 7th FINA World Junior Swimming Championships 2019 | 21/08/2019 |
Gretchen Walsh’s 100 Fly
Gretchen Walsh of Team USA set a world record on June 15 at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials in the women's 100-meter butterfly by completing the event in 55.18 seconds. During the event's semi-finals, she already broke the record of Sarah Sjostrom's 55.48 seconds by clocking 55.38 seconds.
FAQ's On Gretchen Walsh Speed
A. With a time of 55.18, Gretchen Walsh smashes the world record in the women's 100 butterfly at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials.
A. Yes, Alex Walsh is the older sister of Gretchen Walsh. She's older by one and a half years, roughly.
A. Yes, Gretchen Walsh has qualified for the 2024 Paris Olympics through the U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials held in June.
A. Yes, Gretchen Walsh was born in Nashville, Tennessee, in the United States, on January 29, 2003.
A. Gretchen Walsh stands 6 feet 1 inch, or 185 cm., tall.
