5 Rivalries That Add Excitement to Current Swimming World
Competitive swimming thrives on rivalries. With racing at its core, the sport naturally invites head-to-head matchups that push athletes faster and pull fans in closer. Over the years, those battles have made waves, whether between entire nations like Australia and the United States or with individual stars such as Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte.
Today, rivalries continue to drive the sport forward. Here are some of the best current rivalries in swimming.
Summer McIntosh vs. Katie Ledecky vs. Lani Pallister
The long distance rivalry between Summer McIntosh, Katie Ledecky and Lani Pallister is one that has bloomed over the past year. While Ledecky has won the past four Olympic titles in the 800 freestyle, McIntosh and Pallister have cut into what was once a chasm between the athletes. Ledecky is the world-record holder in the event at 8:04.12, but McIntosh and Pallister have moved into 8:05 range for the 16-lap event, territory that formerly was soleley reserved for Ledecky. The next chapter in the rivalry is expected at the 2026 Pan Pacific Championships, and that showdown will be a highlight of the summer.
Gretchen Walsh vs. Torri Huske
The rivalry between Gretchen Walsh and Torri Huske is one built primarily on longevity and mutual respect. It began at junior nationals meets, carried into NCAA showdowns, and then to the Olympic stage. Their rivalry includes a shared podium at the 2024 Paris Olympics, when Huske won the Olympic gold in the 100 butterfly, with Walsh taking silver. More recently, Walsh has become the dominant athlete in the 100 butterfly while Huske has continued to elevate her status in the 100 freestyle. With both swimmers still in the prime of their careers, their rivalry should provide additional chapters of excellence.
Léon Marchand vs. Shaine Casas
It’s a stretch to say Léon Marchand has a true rival in the individual medley events, but Shaine Casas lifted his profile in the 200 IM at this year’s World Championships. Training side by side under Bob Bowman at the University of Texas, the two know each other’s strengths. Marchand entered the spotlight as a dominant IM force, breaking world records and redefining expectations. In the past year, Casas has joined the sub-1:55 club in the 200 IM and defeated Marchand in the short-course pool. Whether Casas can draw closer to Marchand in the future remains to be seen, but is an intriguing storyline.
Kaylee McKeown vs. Regan Smith
Kaylee McKeown and Regan Smith have spent the past few years redefining what is possible in women’s backstroke. Their rivalry began with Smith’s breakout world record swim as a teenager and evolved into an era of back and forth records and friendly competition. Together, they own 28 of the fastest swims ever recorded in the 100 backstroke and 11 of the fastest swims in the 200 backstroke. While McKeown holds the edge on the biggest stages, Smith has remained a persistent challenger. This rivalry is about consistent performance, with neither swimmer allowing the standard to become stagnant.
Bobby Finke vs. Gregorio Paltrinieri vs. Daniel Wiffen vs. Ahmed Jaouadi
In the past few years, Bobby Finke, Gregorio Paltrinieri, Daniel Wiffen and new world champion Ahmed Jaouadi have turned the 800 and 1500 freestyle into must-watch events. Paltrinieri brings experience, while Wiffen and Jaouadi have taken turns grabbing recent global supremacy, and Finke remains one of the sport’s most dangerous distance swimmers as a three-time Olympic champion and world-record holder. In the years ahead, look for these distance stalwarts to push each other to new levels.
