The swimming events at the 2024 Paris Olympics have wrapped up, and what a show it was. For Kristen Linehan Omli, Vice President of Competitor Swim, the experience was especially memorable, as she had the chance to attend several events live with her husband, Craig. From her firsthand experiences to the standout moments we all enjoyed on TV, here are our top highlights:
1. Katie Ledecky Becoming the Most Decorated U.S. Female Olympian
Katie Ledecky secured her ninth Olympic gold medal in the Women’s 800m freestyle, a race she has dominated for years. This victory marked her fourth consecutive Olympic gold in the 800m, solidifying her legacy as the most decorated U.S. female Olympian.
2. Team USA Snagging Gold and Silver in the Women’s 100m Fly
What a race this was to see in-person! Tori Huske and Gretchen Walsh represented Team USA during the event final, and to say they put in work would be a massive understatement. Huske secured the gold, but Walsh was only 0.04 behind her with second – and to see it in person made it that much more special.
3. Kate Douglass Winning Her First Olympic Gold
Kate Douglass captured her first Olympic gold medal in the Women’s 200m Individual Medley. This victory marked a significant milestone in her swimming career and was one of the highlights of the U.S. swimming team’s performance at the games.
4. Nick Fink Tying for Silver
On the same night as Huske and Walsh’s success, Nic Fink added to Team USA’s medal count by tying for silver in the Men’s 100m Breaststroke. Fink’s performance was nothing short of remarkable, finishing just 0.02 seconds behind Italy’s Nicolo Martinenghi and tying with Britain’s Adam Peaty.
5. Team USA Setting New World Records
Bobby Finke: Bobby Finke’s unbelievable performance in the Men’s 1500M Freestyle makes the list for obvious reasons. Not only did Finke secure the gold for Team USA, but he also shattered a world record in the process—not something you see every day!
Regan Smith, Lilly King, Gretchen Walsh, Tori Huske: Another world record was set by Regan Smith, Lilly King, Gretchen Walsh, and Tori Huske in the Women’s 4x100m Medley Relay. This victory, along with setting a new world record, was a pivotal moment that helped the U.S. surpass Australia in the gold medal tally for swimming events at the Paris Games.
6. The US Men’s 4x100M Freestyle Relay
The Men’s 4x100m Freestyle Relay was a standout moment for Team USA, with Caeleb Dressel, Hunter Armstrong, Chris Guiliano, and Jack Alexy securing the first swimming gold for the U.S. at the Paris Games. Having witnessed these athletes qualify at the Olympic Trials made the victory even more meaningful. The icing on the cake? Witnessing Snoop Dogg’s infectious enthusiasm as he cheered alongside Caeleb Dressel’s wife, Meghan.
We really could go on and on, as the Paris 2024 swimming events were filled with so many unforgettable moments, from record-breaking performances to first-time gold medalists. For Kristen and Craig, being in the Paris La Défense Arena to witness these events firsthand was the experience of a lifetime.
Whether viewed in person or on TV, the achievements of Team USA’s swimmers left a lasting impression and reminded us of the power of perseverance, teamwork, and the thrill of competition. Now let’s gear up for 2028 in Los Angeles!
