Criticism of US Team to Be Used as Fuel for the Future

Gretchen Walsh admits she struggles to understand the flak being directed at the United States team over their performance at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore and said the swimmers have been competing under extremely difficult circumstances.

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The US team were hit by an outbreak of acute gastroenteritis during a training camp in Thailand just before the championships, with several swimmers traveling late to Singapore and others having to pull out of events.

On Aug 1, six-gold former Olympic champion Ryan Lochte shared an image on social media of a tombstone with the inscription: "In loving memory of United States Swimming. They set the bar high – until they stopped reaching for it."

He also added a caption referencing the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028, saying: "Call it a funeral or call it a fresh start. We've got 3 years."