The United States swimming team has sent a powerful message to Australia ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
Team USA turned in a record-breaking performance at the World Aquatics Short Course Championships in Budapest, signaling their intention to regain dominance in the pool.
The Americans set 21 world records, captured 18 gold medals and demonstrated unparalleled team depth in the six-day competition.
This performance is a clear warning for Australia’s Dolphins, who narrowly edged out the United States 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 Paris hero athletes including Kaylee McKeown and Ariarne Titmus were absent.
Still, the Americans’ dominance in Budapest highlights their preparations to challenge Australia’s reign as the top swimming nation.
American Gretchen Walsh smiles after winning the final of the women’s 50m freestyle event
The USA dominated the short course championships, landing a big blow on the Australians.
Gretchen Walsh emerged as the face of the American revival.
The 21-year-old won seven gold medals and broke 11 world records, becoming a symbol of growing American strength.
Walsh’s performances in events such as the 50m butterfly and 100m butterfly were extraordinary.
“I’m just getting started,” he said, reflecting on his record-breaking week.
Another star performer was Regan Smith, who set three individual world records in backstroke events and helped break the world record in the 4x100m medley relay.
Speaking of his 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 dominance of the relay. The women’s 4x100m 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 world standard with a time of 6:40.51.
Elijah Winnington, center, won one of two gold medals the Australians won at the championships.
Lani Pallister also took gold for Australia and a host of big names were absent from the event.
Luke Hobson added to the Americans’ record, breaking his own world record in the 200m freestyle twice during the meet.
“I’ve found things to improve and I know I can achieve more,” Hobson said, showing the team’s progressive mindset.
For Australia, the Budapest results served as a reminder of the competitive gap they will need to close.
Despite their small team, the Dolphins’ two gold medals, won by Lani Pallister in the 800 freestyle and Elijah Winnington in the 400 freestyle, offered glimmers of hope.
However, the absence of top swimmers underscored the need for strategic preparation ahead of Los Angeles.
Australian coach Simon Cusack highlighted the importance of developing young talent for the future.
“It’s about building the team that you’ll see on the runway to the Los Angeles Olympics,” Cusack said.
Australia has historically struggled in strokes outside of freestyle, a weakness the Americans are keen to exploit.
Australia’s Paris pool golden girl Kaylee McKeown skips the short course championships in Budapest
Ariarne Titmus was another big name among Australians who opted not to make the trip.
While Australia’s women’s team has achieved consistent victories, its men’s swimmers have rarely been successful in events other than freestyle.
Zac Stubblety-Cook’s victory in the 200m breaststroke in Tokyo marked the first such gold for an Australian in 37 years.
On the contrary, the American team has demonstrated its ability to excel in all styles and distances.
This adaptability and depth was on 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 200m individual medley and 200m breaststroke, summed up the team’s mentality:
“This meeting gives us a great boost for the next four years,” he said.