"Getting a world record was absolute insanity"- Gretchen Walsh opens up on qualifying for her maiden Olympics

Gretchen Walsh created a new world record in the women's 100m fly during semifinals of the U.S. Swimming Olympic trials. The American swimmer put forward a spectacular performance once again in the finals of the women's 100m fly by clocking 55.31s and qualified for her first Olympic Games in Paris.

Gretchen Walsh had previously participated in the U.S. Olympic Trials for the quadrennial games in Tokyo but missed qualification by a narrow margin. Since then, the American swimmer went on to improve her performance and dominated the NCAA circuit in many events.

Her incredible performance at the U.S. Olympics trials took swimming fans into a frenzy. She clocked the second fastest 100m fly of all time a day after creating a new world record. In the process, she qualified for her first ever Olympic Games.

In a post-race interview, she opened up about breaking the world record and qualifying for her first ever Olympics in 24 hours.

" I am so shocked, I don't even know what to say. Making the team was the biggest goal but getting a world record was absolute insanity.So, I couldn't ask for a better first event of the meet."

Gretchen Walsh on breaking the World Record at the U.S. Olympic Trials

Gretchen Walsh after breaking the 100 fly world record at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Swimming - Day 1

Gretchen Walsh delivered two sepctacular performances back to back at the U.S. Olympic trials by clocking two of the fastest 100 fly times of all times.

In the post race interview, she opened up on breaking the 100m fly world record.

" I mean, I cannot even describe how it felt. I was thinking about my family, my teammates, coaches and just all the training that led up to that moment," she said.

She took to Instagram to express her emotions on breaking the world record on the first day of the Olympic Trials.

"I still cannot find the words to describe all of the emotions of last night. World Record⁉️⁉️ I may have been shocked, but I am so grateful to my entire support system of family, coaches, and friends who all knew I could. Thank you for believing in me," read the caption.

She received great praise from the swimming world with swimmers like Michael Phelps, Lilly King, Kate Douglass and many other congratulating her for such an amazing achievement.