Following Carson Foster’s bronze in the 400-meter freestyle, American fans eagerly awaited the women’s 100-meter butterfly finals. The event showcased a thrilling duel between teammates Torri Huske and Gretchen Walsh for the coveted gold medal.
Eight world-class swimmers lined up for the final, but all eyes were on the American duo from the moment they entered the pool. Walsh took an early lead, executing a flawless turn at the 50-meter mark. Huske, feeling the pressure, remained focused and composed.
As Walsh’s pace slowed slightly in the latter half, Huske seized the opportunity to chase down the world record holder. The two Americans were neck-to-neck as they approached the wall, leaving spectators in awe of their performance.
In a nail-biting finish, Huske clinched gold with a time of 55.59 seconds, just 0.04 seconds ahead of Walsh‘s 55.63. The Americans completed a 1-2 finish, with China’s Zhang Yufei securing bronze in 56.21.
Walsh’s Troubling Start to the Paris Olympics
When Gretchen Walsh smashed the world record in the 100-meter butterfly at the US Olympic Trials, expectations soared. Fans were buzzing with anticipation as she dove into the pool for her first heat in Paris. But swimming, like life, is full of surprises, and Walsh touched the wall in 56.75 seconds.
In the semi-finals, Walsh spurted back to power. She recorded a scorching 55.38 and left her competitors far behind her. Unfortunately, in the finals, the difference of four-hundredths of a second seemed like a lifetime when it could have been the difference between a win and a close second. It was a very vivid example of just how close the margins can be at the Olympics.
When the final bell rang, Walsh didn’t disappoint. In a thrilling race that had spectators on the edge of their seats, Huske and Walsh led a USA one-two finish.
