Gretchen Walsh sets new 50m freestyle world record in Rome

Yahoo Sports1 min read • Latest: Jun 29, 2026, 6:15 AM

Last updated Jun 29, 2026

Gretchen Walsh sets new 50m freestyle world record in Rome
Summary

Gretchen Walsh broke the women's 50m freestyle world record with a time of 23.55 seconds at the Sette Colli meeting in Rome on June 28, 2026. Walsh's record surpasses the previous mark set by her training partner Kate Douglass just nine days earlier. Sweden's Sarah Sjostrom finished second, clocking 23.86 seconds. Walsh, 23, is also the holder of the 50m freestyle short-course world record and the 100m butterfly long-course mark. She previously won two gold medals and two silvers at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

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By the Numbers
  • Walsh's time of 23.55 seconds breaks Douglass's record by 0.04 seconds.
  • The record was set at the Sette Colli meeting in Rome.
  • Douglass had set her record on June 19, 2026.
  • Walsh also holds the 50m freestyle short-course and 100m butterfly long-course records.
  • Walsh won multiple medals at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Latest Updates
  • 6:15 AMYahoo SportsFreestyle record beaten for second time in nine days
  • 6:15 AMBBC SportFreestyle record beaten for second time in nine days
What they're saying
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Gretchen Walsh beats the 50m freestyle world record set by training partner Kate Douglass earlier this month by 0.04 seconds

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Gretchen Walsh beats the 50m freestyle world record set by training partner Kate Douglass earlier this month by 0.04 seconds

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