Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

Gretchen Walsh Shatters 50m Butterfly World Record at Aquatics Cup

10/12/2025

45 6 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Gretchen Walsh (American swimmer) broke the world record in the 50m butterfly at the 2025 World Aquatics Swimming World Cup in Carmel, Indiana, with 23.72 seconds.
This marked her 13th world record in short-course.
Regan Smith set an American record in the 200m butterfly in 2:00.28.
Mollie O’Callaghan won the 200m freestyle in 1:50.77, breaking the Oceania record.
Finals start at 6 p.m. ET, featuring Shaine Casas and Kate Douglass.

History

Historical Context

The 2009 World Aquatics Championships in Rome marked a pivotal moment in competitive swimming, where Michael Phelps won eight gold medals and set five world records. This event occurred amid controversy over high-tech swimsuits, which many believed enhanced performance. The championships, featuring 2,556 athletes from 185 countries, highlighted the ongoing evolution of swimming excellence and the impact of technology on athletic achievement.

1 of 2

Story summary

Gretchen Walsh (American swimmer) broke the world record in the 50m butterfly at the 2025 World Aquatics Swimming World Cup in Carmel, Indiana, with 23.72 seconds.
This marked her 13th world record in short-course.
Regan Smith set an American record in the 200m butterfly in 2:00.28.
Mollie O’Callaghan won the 200m freestyle in 1:50.77, breaking the Oceania record.
Finals start at 6 p.m. ET, featuring Shaine Casas and Kate Douglass.

1 / 2