Historic Swim Record
Kate Douglass Breaks Women's 50-Meter Freestyle World Record in Indianapolis
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Kate Douglass became the fastest woman in history in the 50-meter freestyle on Friday night, touching the wall in 23.59 seconds at the TYR Pro Swim Series in Indianapolis, according to AP News. She shattered the previous world record of 23.61, set by Sweden's Sarah Sjöström in July 2023 — a mark that had stood for nearly three years.
Douglass, a 24-year-old five-time Olympic medalist, dropped a stunning 0.32 seconds off her personal best of 23.91. "Wow, that's crazy. I think I'm still in shock," she said after the race, per NBC Sports. "That's a lot faster than I ever thought I would go tonight, or ever."
First American Woman to Hold Record in 40 Years
Before Douglass, the last American woman to hold the 50m freestyle world record was Dara Torres — back in 1983, according to NBC Sports. The event has been dominated for decades by European and Australian sprinters. Sjöström alone held the record since 2017, lowering it twice in 2023 to its final mark of 23.61.
Gretchen Walsh finished second in 23.78, making her the fourth-fastest performer in history, chron.com reported. Anna Moesch took third in 24.20. The top two finishers were both Americans, signaling a major shift in the global sprint landscape ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
How Douglass Won: The Final 15 Meters
Douglass and Walsh were nearly even through the first 25 meters. Then Douglass pulled away. Analysts at SwimSwam noted her high-tempo stroke rate stayed more stable than Walsh's in the final stretch — a key factor that decided the race.
Her coach, Todd DeSorbo, uses data tools including accelerometers and mathematical modeling to sharpen her technique and cut drag in the water. That approach helped Douglass clock 24.26 in the morning prelims, then drop more than half a second in the evening final.
The Paradox: World's Best Breaststroker and Sprint Queen
Douglass is the reigning Olympic champion in the 200-meter breaststroke — one of the slowest events in swimming. To now also hold the world record in the 50m freestyle, the shortest and fastest event, is considered nearly impossible by experts. Sports Illustrated called her "the world's most versatile swimmer," per Sports Illustrated.
She also won the 200m individual medley and 200m breaststroke earlier at this same meet in Indianapolis. That range of events — from power breaststroke to flat-out sprint freestyle — is something no swimmer in history has matched at this level.
Sjöström Era Ends, Eyes Turn to LA 2028
Swedish media reacted to the news as the end of an era. Sjöström, 32, had held the world record for nine years. She recently returned to competition after having a child, and international outlets note she is still targeting the 2028 LA Olympics — leaving open the possibility of a future challenge, according to Swimming World.
Douglass now enters the Pan Pacific Championships in August in Irvine, California, as the heavy favorite in five events, including the 50m and 100m freestyle, per USA Swimming. World Aquatics has begun the formal process to ratify her new world record of 23.59.
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