The World Record Gretchen Walsh Is Still Chasing

Eight hundredths of a second.

That's all that separates Gretchen Walsh from Sarah Sjöström's world record in the 50 freestyle.

Gretchen talks about chasing one of Sarah's last standing world records and the explosion of talent that has ushered in a new era of women's sprinting across the 50 free, 50 fly, 100 fly and 100 free.

*Note: This conversation was recorded before the 2026 Pan Pacific Championships.*