Paris Olympics, Day 9 Finals Heat Sheet: Sjostrom Aims for Double; Wasick, Walsh Loom in 50
The final night of the swimming competition at the 2024 Paris Olympics is upon us with four finals on Sunday to conclude the competition.
The first event of the session will be the highly anticipated women’s 100 freestyle.
After a surprise victory in the 100 freestyle, Swedish superstar Sarah Sjostrom is the top seed in the 50 freestyle. She broke the Olympic record in the semifinals with a swim of 23.66, just five hundredths of a second off her own world record set at the 2023 World Championships.
While Sjostrom will be the favorite, the race is far from a sure thing, especially in a 50. Poland’s five-time Olympian Kasia Wasick and U.S. star Gretchen Walsh will flank Sjostrom in the pool, while the Australian’s Shayna Jack and Meg Harris will look to crash the party, along with China’s Zhang Yufei.
The lone men’s individual final remaining at the Paris Olympics is the 1500 freestyle, which also will provide an intriguing battle.
Ireland’s Daniel Wiffen is coming off of a gold medal performance in the 800, and is the top seed in the event. Defending Olympic champion Bobby Finke is in Lane 7 and with his legendary closing speed, will look to snatch another gold medal in the final 100 of the race.
Italy’s Gregorio Paltrinieri has been a highly decorated international medalist for years, and had a strong Olympic week. He will be right next to Wiffen.
France’s David Aubry will look to bring the home country energy, while Tunisia’s Ahmand Jaouadi has also looked strong.
The men’s and women’s 400 medley relays will close out the session and the games.
The U.S. men will look to hold off the home French as well as China and Great Britain.
Meanwhile, in the women’s race, the U.S. will contend with Australia, Canada and China.
It should be an exciting finale to an incredible and historic Olympic Games in Paris.