USA delivers 21 reasons why the Aussie swimmers are on notice for the LA Olympics

The US swimming team has sent a strong message to Australia ahead of the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

Team USA delivered a record-breaking performance at the World Short Course Swimming Championships in Budapest, signaling their intention to regain dominance in the pool.

The Americans set 21 world records, claimed 18 gold medals and showed unparalleled team depth during the six-day competition.

This performance is a stark warning for the Australian Dolphins, who narrowly trailed the US in the medal standings at the Tokyo and Paris Olympics.

While Australia finished the Short Course Championships in sixth place with just two gold medals, key athletes from Paris, including Kaylee McKeown and Ariarne Titmus, were absent.

Still, the Americans’ dominance in Budapest highlights their preparations to challenge Australia’s dominance as the top swimming nation.

Gretchen Walsh emerged as the face of the US revival.

The 21-year-old won seven gold medals and broke 11 world records, becoming a symbol of the Americans’ growing strength.

Walsh’s performances in events such as the 50 meter butterfly and the 100 meter butterfly were nothing short of extraordinary.

“I’m just getting started,” she said, reflecting on her record-breaking week.

Another star performer was Regan Smith, who set three individual world records in the backstroke and contributed to a world record-breaking relay in the 4×100-meter medley.

Of her team’s efforts, Smith said, “What we’ve done here is special, and it’s just the beginning.”

The Americans’ emphasis on depth was evident in their relay dominance. The women’s 4×100-meter medley relay team of Smith, Lilly King, Walsh and Kate Douglass broke the world record by four seconds.

The men’s 4x200m freestyle relay team also set a new global standard with a time of 6:40.51.

Luke Hobson contributed to the Americans’ record and broke his own world record in the 200 meter freestyle twice during the meet.

“I’ve found things I can adjust and I know I can achieve more,” Hobson said, showing the team’s forward-looking mentality.

For Australia, the results in Budapest served as a reminder of the competitiveness gap they will have to close.

Despite their limited team, the Dolphins’ two gold medals – won by Lani Pallister in the 800-meter freestyle and Elijah Winnington in the 400-meter freestyle – offered a glimmer of hope.

However, the absence of top swimmers underlined the need for strategic preparation before Los Angeles.

Australian head coach Simon Cusack emphasized the focus on developing young talent for the future.

“This is about building the team you’ll see on the catwalk for the LA Olympics,” Cusack said.

Historically, Australia has struggled with shots outside of freestyle, a weakness the Americans are keen to exploit.

Although the Australian women’s team has achieved consistent victories, their male swimmers have rarely found success in non-freestyle events.

Zac Stubblety-Cook’s victory in the 200m breaststroke in Tokyo was the first gold for an Australian man in 37 years.

The American team, on the other hand, has shown that it excels in all strokes and distances.

This adaptability and depth was on full display in Budapest, where even the absence of stars like Katie Ledecky and Bobby Finke did little to diminish their dominance.

Kate Douglass, who broke world records in both the 200-meter individual medley and the 200-meter breaststroke, summarized the team’s mentality:

“This meeting gives us a lot of momentum for the next four years,” she said.