My Five Favorite Moments of the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials

Note that this is the author’s top five moments of the Trials and does not necessarily represent SwimSwam’s views.

Courtesy: Charles Hartley

An American celebration took place last week in Indianapolis where the country’s fastest swimmers competed to qualify for the Paris Olympics coming soon this summer. There were so many inspiring moments but five stand out as my favorites for us to remember for four years until the Los Angeles U.S. Trials leading up to the 2028 games.

#5

The facial expression of Kate Douglass after breaking a meet record in the prelims of the 200-meter breaststroke. A surprised and exhilarated look on her face, a swimmer going so fast, taking her talents to another level, dazzling all of us with her rarified talent.

#4

After finishing third in the 100-meter freestyle – barely getting out-touched – Caeleb Dressel smiling and congratulating Jack Alexy who finished ahead of him and by doing so qualified for his first Olympics. Sportsmanship at its finest. American idealism, competing hard and congratulating whoever wins.

#3

Aaron Shackell letting loose with emotion after finishing first in the 400 freestyle and making the team for the first time. After the win this 19-year-old slammed the water then got out and slammed his cap on the pool deck and raised his arms to the crowd. He unleashed how he really felt and it was wonderful to see a young man accomplish his dream without holding back what it meant to him.

#2

Simone Manuel allowing a tear to run down her cheek as she realized she had qualified for her third Olympics with her  performance in the 100-meter freestyle. It’s rare for swimmers to qualify for any Olympic team given all the competitors vying for spots which makes Simone’s three-time achievement remarkable. The tear on her cheek told the story of hard work, deep emotion, and reaching a goal – again. Climbing back to the mountaintop repeatedly.

#1

Carson Foster, who made the team in the 400-meter individual medley, talking at a press conference about his brother, Jake, who competed last week but did not make the Olympic team. Carson talked about how proud he is of his brother for having already started medical school.

There were so many other moments. A week of wonder and wishing, of not making it, being disappointed, and touching greatness, feeling like you did what you doubted you could do.

It will get more emotional later this summer at the Paris Games. The American athletes who made the team – every one of them a long shot in the sense of how hard it is to place first or second in their events – are American heroes for the rest of their lives.

They are Olympians and we salute them.

About Charles Hartley

Charles Hartley is a freelance writer based in Davidson, NC. He has a masters degree in journalism and a masters degree in business administration.