Kate Douglass Smashes 50m Freestyle World Record in Indianapolis
American swimmer Kate Douglass has made history by shattering the women’s 50 metres freestyle world record during a U.S. Pro Swim Series event in Indianapolis on Friday.
The 24-year-old athlete, who previously secured gold in the 200m breaststroke at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, touched the wall in a blistering 23.59 seconds. Her astonishing performance narrowly eclipsed the former global benchmark of 23.61 seconds, which was established by Swedish swimming icon Sarah Sjostrom at the 2023 World Championships in Fukuoka, Japan.
A shocking milestone
Speaking to broadcaster Peacock immediately after the race, a visibly stunned Douglass expressed her disbelief at the monumental achievement.
«I mean wow, that’s crazy, I think I’m still in shock, I don’t even know what to say,» she remarked.
The Olympic champion admitted her initial ambitions for the evening were far more modest.
«I was really just hoping to go a best time, break the American record. That’s a lot faster than I ever thought I would go tonight, or ever,» she added.
Douglass claimed the top spot on the podium ahead of her compatriot Gretchen Walsh, who finished with an impressive time of 23.78 seconds. Prior to this historic swim, both Douglass and Walsh jointly held the American national record at 23.91 seconds.
Top 50m freestyle times at a glance
| Swimmer | Nationality | Time (Seconds) | Status |
| Kate Douglass | United States | 23.59 | Current World Record |
| Sarah Sjostrom | Sweden | 23.61 | Former World Record (2023) |
| Gretchen Walsh | United States | 23.78 | Indianapolis Runner-Up |
