Gretchen Walsh blocks out criticism of US team’s performance at World Aquatics Championships

Gretchen Walsh admits she struggles to understand the flak being directed at the United States team over their performance at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore and said the swimmers have been competing under extremely difficult circumstances.

The US team were hit by an outbreak of acute gastroenteritis during a training camp in Thailand just before the championships, with several swimmers travelling late to Singapore and others having to pull out of events.

On Aug 1, six-gold former Olympic champion Ryan Lochte shared an image on social media of a tombstone with the inscription: “In loving memory of United States Swimming. They set the bar high – until they stopped reaching for it.”

He also added a caption referencing the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028, saying: “Call it a funeral or call it a fresh start. We’ve got 3 years.”

US swimming great Michael Phelps then shared Lochte’s post and added: “Is this the wake-up call USA Swimming needed?”

Asked about the criticism, Walsh, 22, said she was trying to ignore it. She said: “I was made aware and it’s frustrating, but I am just trying to block it out and take on the meet with everything I can and just show up and race like I know how...

“I think we’ve been dealing with a lot, so it’s hard to get the criticism in the first place because I don’t think people quite understand the magnitude of everything going on behind the scenes.

“But showing up, giving my best and coming out a world champion twice now has been everything, and I’m just happy to keep doing it and happy that I’m feeling like myself again in the water.”

Walsh was speaking after she won the 50m butterfly title on Aug 2 to add to her 100m crown in Singapore. On Aug 3, she teamed up with Regan Smith, Kate Douglass and Torri Huske to win the women’s 4x100m medley relay title in a world record 3:49.34.

But the US have won only one individual gold in the men’s events, Luca Urlando claiming the 200m butterfly title. But three-gold Olympic champion Bobby Finke, who won bronze in the 1,500m freestyle, called the criticism “weak” and “stupid”.

Jack Alexy, who was part of the team that won the mixed 4x100m mixed free gold in a world-record time on Aug 2, said US athletes were always held to the highest of standards.

“It’s definitely fuel to the fire for the next couple years,” added Alexy, who also has a silver and three bronze medals from his other events in Singapore.

“And the theme going into this meet was setting off the tone right for LA 2028. So I think we’re continuing to do a better job at that, especially after tonight, and I’m really excited for the future.” REUTERS