In 2024, the world of swimming saw major milestones, with athletes retiring and new records being set. Australian swimmer Mack Horton announced his retirement, while Canada’s Summer McIntosh ended Katie Ledecky’s 13-year win streak in the 800m freestyle. Record-breaking performances, including Ariarne Titmus’s world record in the 200m freestyle and Ledecky’s historic achievements, kept the sport in the spotlight, culminating in the 2024 Paris Olympics, where new champions emerged.
Here’s a recap of the biggest highlights from swimming in 2024:
January
Rio Olympic gold medallist Mack Horton calls time on swimming career
Australian gold medallist Mack Horton, who had an intense rivalry with China’s Sun Yang, announced his retirement from international swimming. The 27-year-old won gold in the 400-meter freestyle at the Rio Olympics in 2016.
February
Summer McIntosh ends Katie Ledecky’s 13-year win streak in 800m freestyle
Canada’s 17-year-old Summer McIntosh defeated Katie Ledecky in the 800m freestyle at the Southern Zone South Sectional Championships meet in Orlando, ending the American’s 13-year unbeaten streak at the event. McIntosh clocked a national record of 8:11.39, beating Ledecky’s time of 8:17.12.
Beijing to host 2029 World Championships
Beijing will host the 2029 World Aquatics Championships, organisers said, bringing the multi-sport event back to China for the first time in nearly 20 years.
April
Singapore’s only Olympic champion Joseph Schooling retires
Joseph Schooling, Singapore’s first and only Olympic gold medallist, announced his retirement at 28. Known as “Singapore’s Flying Fish,” Schooling made history in 2016 by defeating his idol, Michael Phelps, to win the 100m butterfly at the Rio Olympics with a time of 50.39 seconds.
Chinese swimmers allowed to compete at Tokyo Olympics despite positive doping tests
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) cleared 23 Chinese swimmers to compete in the Tokyo Olympics, despite testing positive for the banned heart drug trimetazidine, after accepting China’s claim of sample contamination. This decision, which allowed the swimmers to win six medals, including three golds, sparked controversy.
The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency and other nations called for a review of WADA’s processes, while the IOC expressed confidence in its handling of the case. Meanwhile, Team USA’s athlete groups demanded an independent investigation into the matter.
China sent 11 swimmers linked to the doping issue to the 2024 Paris Olympics. China’s anti-doping agency said that it will “never” agree to a US demand to release details of its investigation.
May
Katie Ledecky awarded U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom
Nine-time Olympic gold medallist Katie Ledecky was awarded the U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Joe Biden. The 21-time World Champion was one of 19 people to receive the highest U.S. civilian award. Ledecky became the second-youngest athlete to receive the honour, following Simone Biles, who received it in 2022.
WADA lifts sanctions against Tunisia anti-doping agency
The World Anti-Doping Agency announced the reinstatement of Tunisia’s national anti-doping organization two weeks after imposing sanctions that sparked turmoil in the country. WADA said it “received confirmation that a required governmental decree had entered into force” and that the Tunisian National Anti-Doping Organization (ANAD) had “successfully met its obligations to regain compliance” by bringing its national rules in line with the world anti-doping code.
Australia breaststroker Hodges retires
Australian swimmer Chelsea Hodges, who helped the nation claim the women’s 4×100 metres medley relay gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics, has retired from international swimming at the age of 22 after struggling with injuries.
June
Singapore to host World Aquatics Championships 2025
World Aquatics announced Singapore as the host of the World Aquatics Championships, which will take place from 11 July to 3 August 2025. Six aquatic sports- swimming, water polo, diving, artistic swimming, open water swimming and high diving will be held across 24 days with over 2500 athletes expecting to participate. Singapore Sports Hub and Sentosa will act as the venue for the event.
No male artistic swimmers at Paris 2024 Olympics
Despite World Aquatics’ bold move to let men compete in artistic swimming at the Olympics, there will be no male swimmers among the 10 countries in the team event in Paris, after the United States left pioneer Bill May out of their squad. World Aquatics said it was “very disappointed” by the U.S. team’s announcement.
Ariarne Titmus shatters women’s 200m freestyle world record at the Australian Olympic trials
Olympic champion Ariarne Titmus smashed the women’s 200m freestyle world record at the Australian Olympic trials in Brisbane. Titmus clocked 1:52.23, overtaking compatriot Mollie O’Callaghan’s previous record of 1:52.85 from last year’s World Championships in Fukuoka.
Transgender swimmer Lia Thomas fails in challenge that bans her from elite women’s races
Transgender swimmer Lia Thomas failed in her challenge against rules that stop her from competing in elite women’s races because judges ruled she did not have standing to bring the case. The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) panel of three judges dismissed Thomas’ request for arbitration with the World Aquatics governing body.
Gretchen Walsh sets 100m fly world record at the U.S. Olympic swimming trials
Gretchen Walsh set a world record in the women’s 100-meter butterfly, posting a time of 55.18 seconds in a semifinal heat at the U.S. Olympic swimming trials .Walsh was more than a half-second under world-record pace at the turn and finished strong to eclipse the mark of 55.48 set by Sweden’s Sarah Sjostrom at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.
Regan Smith sets 100m backstroke World Record at the U.S. Olympic trials
Regan Smith set a world record in the 100-meter backstroke at the U.S. Olympic swimming trials. The 22-year-old Minnesota native touched in 57.13 seconds, easily beating the mark of 57.33 set a year ago by Australia’s Kaylee McKeown.
Srihari Nataraj and Dhinidhi Desinghu selected to represent India via Universality Quota
Swimmers Srihari Nataraj and Dhinidhi Desinghu were selected to represent India at the upcoming Paris Olympics via the Universality Quota, announced the Swimming Federation of India (SFI).
READ | Paris 2024 Olympics: I want to be as flawless as Messi and as tough as Nadal, says Srihari Nataraj
July and August – (Paris Olympics 2024)
Important results:
Australia’s Ariarne Titmus defeated arch rivals Summer McIntosh of Canada and USA’s Katie Ledecky to defend her 400m freestyle title.
Tatjana Smith took South Africa’s first gold in Paris and added the 100-metre breaststroke title to the 200 metres she won at Tokyo 2021 under her maiden name of Schoenmaker.
Australian dominator Kaylee McKeown crushed Regan Smith to extend her reign over the 100 metres backstroke before Irish trailblazer Daniel Wiffen became his nation’s first man to win an Olympic swimming medal with 800m freestyle gold.
China’s Pan obliterates 100m freestyle world record for gold
China’s Pan Zhanle obliterated his own 100 metres freestyle world record at the Paris Olympics as he took an astonishing gold medal in the event at the Paris Olympics and humbled a slew of champion rivals. The 19-year-old’s time of 46.40 seconds shaved 0.40 seconds off his previous mark set at the World Championships in Doha in February when he announced himself to the world with a stunning relay leadoff swim.
Katie Ledecky becomes the most decorated female Olympic swimmer
Katie Ledecky became the most decorated female Olympic swimmer of all time, with 13 medals, after the US team earned silver in the 4×200 meters freestyle relay, behind Australia’s gold and China’s bronze. Later, Ledecky made history by winning her record-tying ninth gold medal and 14th overall when she claimed an unprecedented fourth women’s 800m freestyle title, finishing in 8:11.04, 1.25 seconds ahead of Australia’s Ariarne Titmus.
With this victory, Ledecky joined former Soviet gymnast Larisa Latynina as the female athlete with the most Olympic golds. She also became one of only two swimmers, alongside Michael Phelps, to win four Olympic golds in the same event. With her nine gold medals, she overtook Jenny Thompson for the most Olympic golds in women’s swimming. Ledecky leads the all-time record for women’s swimming with a total of 14 Olympic medals.
READ | Katie Ledecky at Olympics: All you need to know about the most decorated female Olympic swimmer
Marchand seals fourth gold medal of Summer Games
French favourite Leon Marchand took his fourth gold medal of the Paris Olympics when he won the men’s 200 metres Individual Medley in an Olympic record time. Marchand is the first French athlete to take four individual golds, at a single Summer Games and only the third male swimmer to do so after Americans Michael Phelps and Mark Spitz.
USA takes mixed 4×100 medley gold in world record time
The United States broke the world record in winning the Olympic 4x100m mixed medley relay gold, outgunning China and Australia. The team of Ryan Murphy, Nic Fink, Gretchen Walsh and Torri Huske touched in 3min 37.43sec to narrowly better the mark set by Britain at the Tokyo Games, when the event was first added to the Olympic programme.
Bobby Finke breaks World Record in men’s freestyle 1500m
American iron-man Bobby Finke smashed the men’s 1,500 metres freestyle world record as he retained the Olympic gold medal in a thrilling swim that put the United States on top of the medal table at the Paris pool with two events remaining.
China ends US reign over men’s 4×100 medley relay
The United States’ 64-year unbeaten run in the men’s 4×100 metres medley ended at the Paris Olympics as China swept to a seismic win. Amid deafening cheers at the converted rugby stadium, the 100 metres freestyle world record holder Pan Zhanle brought China home with an outrageous swim as he, Xu Jiayu, Qin Haiyang and Sun Jiajun won in a time of three minutes, 27.46 seconds.
August
Great Britain’s swimming head coach Furniss announces retirement
British swimming’s most successful head coach Bill Furniss announced his retirement after overseeing his fourth Olympic Games, Aquatics GB said in a statement. During his time in charge, Britain won 19 medals including retaining the men’s 4x200m freestyle relay title in Paris last month. Britain finished ninth in the swimming medals table in Paris, with one gold and four silvers, having enjoyed their best swimming performance in Tokyo with four golds.
Chinese swimmer Sun Yang wins on return from doping ban
Disgraced three-time Olympic swimming champion Sun Yang has won his first title in the pool after coming back from a four-year doping ban. The Chinese freestyler was originally suspended for eight years by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) in 2020 for smashing vials of blood during a 2018 test, the circumstances of which he still disputes.
September
Australia sacks coach Michael Palfrey for backing South Korean rival swimmer
Swimming Australia (SA) has sacked coach Michael Palfrey after he triggered a media storm at the Paris 2024 Olympics by saying he hoped a South Korean athlete would beat Australian rivals at the Games.
Paralympics Swimming World Records:
Here is the list of swimming world records broken at the 2024 Paris Paralympics:
Men’s 50m Freestyle – S4
New WR: Sebastian Massabie (CAN) – 35.61s
Old WR: Ami Omer Dadaon (ISR) – 36.25s (Funchal, 2022)
Men’s 50m Freestyle – S5
New WR: Guo Jincheng (CHN) – 29.33s
Old WR: Guo Jincheng (CHN) – 29.78s (Manchester, 2023)
Men’s 50m Freestyle – S7
New WR: Andrii Trusov (UKR) – 26.38s
Old WR: Andrii Trusov (UKR) – 27.07s (London, 2019)
Men’s 50m Freestyle – S9
New WR: Simone Barlaam (ITA) – 23.90s
Old WR: Simone Barlaam (ITA) – 23.96s (Manchester, 2023)
Men’s 200m Freestyle – S14
New WR: William Ellard (GBR) – 1:51.30s
Old WR: Reece Dunn (GBR) – 1:52.40s (Tokyo, 2021)
Men’s 100m Backstroke – S11
New WR: Mykhailo Serbin (UKR) – 1:05.84s
Old WR: Mykhailo Serbin (UKR) – 1:06.01s (Manchester, 2023)
Men’s 100m Backstroke – S12
New WR: Stephen Clegg (GBR) – 59.02s
Old WR: Aleksandr Nevolin-Svetov (RUS) – 59.35s (London, 2012)
Men’s 100m Backstroke – S14
New WR: Benjamin Hance (AUS) – 56.52s
Old WR: Benjamin Hance (AUS) – 56.88s (Brisbane, 2021)
Men’s 100m Breaststroke – SB13
New WR: Taliso Engel (GER) – 1:01.84s
Old WR: Taliso Engel (GER) – 1:02.22s (Funchal, 2024)
Men’s 50m Butterfly – S5
New WR: Guo Jincheng (CHN) – 30.28s
Old WR: Zheng Tao (CHN) – 30.62s (Tokyo, 2021)
Men’s 150m Individual Medley – SM2
New WR: Gabriel Geraldo dos Santos Araujo (BRA) – 3:15.06s
Old WR: Gabriel Geraldo dos Santos Araujo (BRA) – 3:23.83s (Sheffield, 2023)
Men’s 200m Individual Medley – SM6
New WR: Yang Hong (CHN) – 2:37.31s
Old WR: Yang Hong (CHN) – 2:37.53s (Hangzhou, 2023)
Men’s 200m Individual Medley – SM13
New WR: Ihar Boki (NPA) – 2:02.03s
Old WR: Ihar Boki (Belarus) – 2:02.70s (Tokyo, 2021)
Women’s 50m Freestyle – S3
New WR: Leanne Smith (USA) – 40.03s
Old WR: Arjola Trimi (ITA) – 40.32s (Tokyo, 2021), Leanne Smith – 40.32s (Funchal, 2022)
Women’s 50m Freestyle – S9
New WR: Christie Raleigh-Crossley (USA) – 27.28s
Old WR: Sophie Pascoe (NZL) – 27.32s (Auckland, 2019)
Women’s 50m Freestyle – S10
New WR: Chen Yi (CHN) – 27.10s
Old WR: Aurelie Rivard (CAN) – 27.37s (Rio de Janeiro, 2016)
Women’s 50m Freestyle – S11
New WR: Ma Jia (CHN) – 28.96s
Old WR: Ma Jia (CHN) – 29.20s (Tokyo, 2021)
Women’s 100m Freestyle – S6
New WR: Jiang Yuyan (CHN) – 1:09.68s
Old WR: Jiang Yuyan (CHN) – 1:10.86s (Manchester, 2023)
Women’s 100m Freestyle – S9
New WR: Alexa Leary (AUS) – 59.53s
Old WR: Alexa Leary (AUS) – 59.60s (Paris, 2024)
Women’s 100m Freestyle – S11
New WR: Daria Lukianenko (NPA) – 1:04.88s
Old WR: Liesette Bruinsma (NED) – 1:05.14s (Dublin, 2018)
Women’s 100m Backstroke – S6
New WR: Jiang Yuyan (CHN) – 1:19.44s
Old WR: Ellie Marks (USA) – 1:19.57s (Tokyo, 2021)
Women’s 100m Breaststroke – SB7
New WR: Mariia Pavlova (NPA) – 1:26.09s
Old WR: Mariia Pavlova (NPA) – 1:26.86s (Limoges, 2024)
Women’s 100m Breaststroke – SB12
New WR: Elena Krawzow (GER) – 1:12.54s
Old WR: Elena Krawzow (GER) – 1:12.71s (Berlin, 2019)
Women’s 50m Butterfly – S5
New WR: Lu Dong (CHN) – 38.17s
Old WR: He Shenggao (CHN) – 39.32s (Hangzhou, 2023)
Women’s 100m Butterfly – S14
New WR: Poppy Maskill (GBR) – 1:03.00s
Old WR: Olivia Newman-Baronius (GBR) – 1:03.33s (London, 2024), Valeriia Shabalina (RUS) – 1:03.33s (Sotchi, 2022)
Women’s 200m Individual Medley – SM11
New WR: Daria Lukianenko (NPA) – 2:37.77s
Old WR: Daria Lukianenko (NPA) – 2:38.47s (Funchal, 2024)
Mixed 4x100m Freestyle Relay – 34 Points
New WR: Italy (Stefano Raimondi, Giulia Terzi, Xenia Francesca Palazzo, Simone Barlaam) – 4:01.54s
Old WR: Italy – 4:02.53s (Funchal, 2022)
Mixed 4x50m Freestyle Relay – 20 Points
New WR: China (Peng Qiuping, Yuan Weiyi, Jiang Yuyan, Guo Jincheng) – 2:14.98s
Old WR: China – 2:15.49s (Tokyo, 2021)
Mixed 4x50m Medley Relay – 20 Points
New WR: China (Lu Dong, Zhang Li, Wang Lichao, Guo Jincheng) – 2:24.83s
Old WR: China – 2:27.45s (Manchester, 2023)
National Aquatic Championships 2024: Hashika Ramachandra breaks 13-year-old 400m record
Hashika Ramachandra broke the National Record in the Women’s 400m Freestyle event at the 77th Senior National Aquatic Championships 2024 at the International Aquatic Complex in Yemmekere, Mangaluru. The Karnataka swimmer broke the 13-year-old record held previously by Richa Mishra (4:25.76) from Ranchi, by clocking 4:24.70.
November
World Aquatics opens interim office in Budapest
World Aquatics marked a key step in its planned move from Olympic capital Lausanne by opening an interim office in Hungary’s capital Budapest. Swimming’s global governing body aims to complete the move by 2027, in time for the World Aquatics Championships, which Budapest will host.
Australia’s most decorated Olympian Emma McKeon retires from swimming
Swimmer Emma McKeon, Australia’s most decorated Olympian and an eight-time world-record holder, retired from the sport aged 30. McKeon won 14 Olympic medals, six of them gold, over the Rio, Tokyo and Paris Games this summer.
December
Australia’s head swimming coach Rohan Taylor reappointed till 2028 Los Angeles Olympics
Australia’s head swimming coach, Rohan Taylor, was reappointed to lead the country’s powerhouse team to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Taylor played a pivotal role in guiding Australia to a record nine gold medals and 21 medals overall at the Covid-delayed Tokyo Olympics, finishing second only to the United States.
