'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAFAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFgABAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAUG/8QAFQEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAX/2gAMAwEAAhADEAAAAM7FKB//xAAgEAACAgEEAwEAAAAAAAAAAAABAgMEBQAGESITIUHC/9oACAEBAAE/ANu7kkzdXc02drrerY0tPFAzcdwko/OjzZPnru9aGXukCqhESn2FBK/Nf//EABkRAAEFAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEAAgMEEf/aAAgBAgEBPwCy0CbAv//EABoRAAEFAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEAAgQTgcH/2gAIAQMBAT8AitFW8C//2Q=='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Gretchen Walsh, the 100m butterfly world record holder, penned a heartwarming note for her sister, Alex Walsh, on her birthday on July 31, 2024. Alex Walsh is also a competitive swimmer, with the 2020 Tokyo Olympics 200m medley silver medal in her resume. Both sisters are competing at the Paris Olympics.
Gretchen Walsh narrowly missed the 2020 Tokyo Olympic team despite competing in the 100m butterfly, 100m freestyle and 50m freestyle. The six-time World Junior gold medalist entered the 2024 US Olympic Trials after collecting seven golds at the 2024 NCAA Championships, representing the University of Virginia.
At the Paris Olympic trials, Gretchen Walsh set a new world record by swimming the 100m butterfly stretch in 55.18s. Her effort lowered Australian Sarah Sjostrom's time and also marked her debut record break in long course. The 21-year-old competed in the 100m butterfly (55.63) at the 2024 Paris Olympics and won the silver besides clinching the 4x100m freestyle relay silver in 3:30.20.
Trending
In-between the ongoing Games, Gretchen Walsh took to her Instagram handle to wish her sister, Alex Walsh, on her birthday, with a caorusel of photos combining recent and childhood pictures.
"Wishing the greatest sister a girl could ask for a VERY happy birthday!! Can’t think of a more fitting way to celebrate your 23rd than in Paris. Forever in awe of you — thank you for being my biggest role model and bestest friend," her caption read.
Alex Walsh, also an University of Virginia alum, anchored her college team to their fourth consecutive title at the 2024 NCAA Division I Championships. Her performances in the elite level earned her three gold medals each in the long course and short course World Championships.
"I definitely draw a lot of my confidence from Gretchen Walsh" - Alex Walsh
At the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Trials, Alex Walsh booked her seat for the 200m medley finals but Gretchen Walsh walked home without any Olympic ticket. It was a bitter sweet moment for the Walsh family, confused about whether to celebrate or not.
The younger Walsh wished to celebrate her sister's debut Olympiad but during the finals, she felt gloomy to not be able to swim or watch her sister in person.
"I was so upset not to be there. I wanted to watch her in person, and I wanted to be there swimming." (via Sports Illustrated)
Fast forward to now, as Alex watched her sister win the silver in the 4x100m freestyle relay and set an Olympic record in the 100m butterfly on the first night in Paris, she said:
"I definitely draw a lot of my confidence from Gretchen. I would say just seeing her be poised and kind of manage this comeback that she's had after 2021, I gained a lot of confidence from that, and a lot of motivation," said Alex Walsh. (via Sports Illustrated)
The 200m medley Tokyo Olympics silver medalist, Alex Walsh, will compete in the discipline's Heat 5 on Friday, August 2 to secure a place in the finals of Paris 2024.
