Gretchen Walsh Aims for More Epic World Record Clashes With Kate Douglass
“Anything you can do, I can do better … ”
If that song pops in your head watching Gretchen Walsh and Kate Douglass race, you aren’t alone.
The back-and-forth nature of their swimming performances is something we have not seen consistently since the prime of Phelps-Lochte.
Every race could be a world record by either one of them.
“It is definitely pretty cool. It is awesome to keep pushing each other like that, especially in a race like the 50,” Douglass said. “It is such a fun race. I think it is fun to get up and race Gretchen. We push each other in practice every day.
“I am excited to race her in Beijing.”
Walsh is excited, too.
They have such a unique bond in the fact that they are teammates, training partners and friends – but must beat the other to reach world records.
“It is a really good motivating factor. It definitely makes the 50 really competitive. It is a battle. I love that we are pushing the boundaries in that event,” Gretchen Walsh said. “It is really an honor to be in a field where people are going to push you to be your best every single time. I always try to be grateful for that. Yes, it makes me a little more nervous, but it is good nerves and I think I need that pushing a little bit.”
Walsh set the 50 free SCM world record at 22.74 earlier this month and wouldn’t you know, Douglass matched it exactly this week at the 2026 USA Swimming Short Course World Championship Trials in Westmont, Ill.
“It is super fun that we get to tie the world record right now. Something like that was bound to happen,” Douglass said.
Each race in Westmont involving either of these swimmers has been on world record alert. Not all of them have fallen, but some have, and other events have seen American or U.S. Open records.
Walsh is pleased with how this meet has gone, especially since her world-record performance earlier this month.
“The meet has been going really well. I came here to qualify for Beijing and I have done that, so I am really happy about that,” Gretchen Walsh said. “It is always hard coming off of a great swim meet and maybe not going the times you were capable of with a little more rest, but we are figuring it out. I think I am setting myself up for strong races. It is really good to have incremental goals as I am making my way to 2028. I love these kinds of meets. I miss short course not being in college anymore. I think for me this is a great opportunity to race and be a competitor and keep that part of me fresh and ready to go. Especially as racing opportunities start to become less heading into an Olympic year.
“I am excited to keep working to bigger and better things in China.”
Being a SCM meet, Walsh was able to feel more relaxed before her races, which is something she embraces.
“It was really low pressure and casual. I think that is when I do my best. Hopefully I feel that way in China,” Gretchen Walsh said. “When you have a lot of pressure or expectations, it is easy to let that get the best of you. I just need to execute the details and remember that I know what I am doing and I am the best at it.”
