Kate Douglass Breaks Simone Manuel’s American Record With 23.91 50 Freestyle

2024 WORLD AQUATIC CHAMPIONSHIPS

February 11th – February 18th, 2024
Doha, Qatar
LCM (50m)
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WOMEN’S 50 FREESTYLE — FINAL

World Record: 23.61 — Sarah Sjostrom, Sweden (2023)
Championship Record: 23.61 — Sarah Sjostrom, Sweden (2023)
World Junior Record: 24.17 — Claire Curzan, United States (2021)
2023 World Champion: 23.62 — Sarah Sjostrom, Sweden
Olympic ‘A’ Qualifying Time: 24.70, Olympic ‘B’ Qualifying Time: 24.82

Final:

Sarah Sjostrom (SWE) — 23.69
Kate Douglass (USA) — 23.91
Kasia Wasick (POL) — 23.95
Shayna Jack (AUS) — 24.27
Taylor Ruck (CAN) — 24.50
Anna Hopkin (GBR) — 24.51
Kornelia Fiedkiewicz (POL) — 24.69
Michelle Coleman (SWE) — 24.79

Kate Douglass set a new American Record on the final night of competition in Doha as she touched in a 23.91 in the women’s 50 freestyle.

Douglass’s swim broke Simone Manuel‘s American Record of a 23.97 that Manuel swam to win bronze at the 2017 World Championships in Budapest, Hungary.

No other American besides Manuel had ever been under the 24-second mark until Douglass did so today. Coming into the meet, Douglass had a personal best time of a 24.40 that she swam in May 2023. That swim made her the #9 American all-time. Douglass moved up to the 5th fastest American all-time with her time of a 24.19 from prelims.

Douglass’s swim also moved her up to the 8th fastest swimmer in the event all-time.

All-Time Top Women’s 50 Free Performers

Sarah Sjostrom, 23.61 Sweden
Britta Steffen, 23.72 Germany
Pernille Blume, 23.75 Denmark
Cate Campbell, 23.78 Australia
Emma McKeon, 23.81 Australia
Ranomi Kromowidjojo, 23.85 Netherlands
Therese Alshammar, 23.88 Sweden
Kate Douglass, 23.91 USA

Tonight’s swim was notably Douglass’s first time ever competing in the 50 free at a major international meet. Douglass had a packed schedule in Doha as she also swam the individual 100 free, 200 breast, and 200 IM. This swim marks Douglass’s second LCM American Record as she set the 200 breast record at a 2:19.30 just last month.

In This Story
Kate DouglassKate DouglassSimone ManuelSimone Manuel

About Anya Pelshaw

Anya Pelshaw

Anya has been with SwimSwam since June 2021 as both a writer and social media coordinator. She was in attendance at the 2022 and 2023 Women’s NCAA Championships writing and doing social media for SwimSwam.

Currently, Anya is pursuing her B.A. in Economics and a minor in Government & Law at …