Gretchen Olson

Gretchen Walsh, born January 29, 2003, is a prominent American competitive swimmer who has achieved numerous world, junior, and American records across various freestyle, butterfly, and medley events. She competed collegiately for the University of Virginia, where she set multiple NCAA records and earned multiple national titles. Her international career includes significant success at the Junior Pan Pacific Championships and World Junior Championships. Walsh qualified for the 2016 US Olympic Trials at a young age and more recently won a silver medal in the 100-meter butterfly at the 2024 Summer Olympics, setting an Olympic record in the semifinals. She is recognized for her speed and versatility in both long course and short course swimming.

Gretchen Walsh began her competitive swimming journey at a young age, gaining national attention by age 12. She became the youngest swimmer to qualify for and compete in the 2016 US Olympic Trials at just 13 years old. Throughout her age-group career, Walsh consistently broke records, including National Age Group records in the 50-yard freestyle for different age brackets. By age 15, she had already become the fastest female American swimmer under 22.00 seconds in the 50-yard freestyle, surpassing records previously held by notable swimmers.

Walsh's international career took off in 2018 at the Junior Pan Pacific Swimming Championships, where she secured multiple gold medals, including in the 100-meter freestyle, breaking a championship record. She continued this success at the 2019 World Junior Championships, serving as a captain and winning six gold medals across various relay and individual events, setting new world junior and championship records. Her collegiate career at the University of Virginia was equally impressive, marked by numerous NCAA titles and American records in events like the 50-yard freestyle, 100-yard freestyle, and 100-yard butterfly, establishing her as a dominant force in collegiate swimming.

Walsh's achievements extend to the highest levels of the sport. She holds multiple world records, including in the 100-meter butterfly and various medley and freestyle relays. At the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, she earned a silver medal in the 100-meter butterfly, also setting a new Olympic record in the event during the semifinals. Her extensive list of accolades also includes numerous American records in both long course and short course events, solidifying her status as one of the top swimmers of her generation.