Kate Douglass Has Renewed Chase for Sub-50 Performance in 100 Freestyle
In 2017, when Cate Campbell sped to a clocking of 50.25 in the short-course version of the 100-meter freestyle, there was chatter. Are we on the cusp of the first sub-50 performance by a woman in the event? Ultimately, that storyline faded, and Campbell’s world record endured for nearly eight years, with only a handful of threats.
Kate Douglass has revived the conversation.
As the World Cup wrapped up in Westmont (Ill.) on Sunday night, Douglass produced a stunning performance in the 100 freestyle. Covering her four laps in 50.19, the American star broke Campbell’s longstanding world mark and renewed discussion about the potential of a 49-point outing by a female in the event. It could come as soon as this week, with Douglass scheduled to race the 100 freestyle when the World Cup shifts to its final stop in Toronto.
In themselves, world records are special. For an athlete to deliver a time never before seen is groundbreaking, and an accomplishment that cannot be taken away. Yet, there is added cachet for a performance that is barrier-breaking. Think Natalie Coughlin (100 backstroke) and Roman Sludnov (100 breaststroke) – as 21st century examples – cracking the minute barrier in their events for the first time.
It’s been nearly a half-century since the United States’ Jim Montgomery went 49.99 in the 100 freestyle at the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal. That effort marked the first time anyone had gone under the 50-second barrier in the event and, along with his gold medal, firmly etched Montgomery’s name into the history books. Now, Douglass is chasing a time that starts with a “4” and not a “5.”
After registering her world record over the weekend, Douglass discussed her strategy for the race. Having watched several friends break world records, Douglass decided to press the pace during the early stages of her 100 freestyle and see if she could hold on. The strategy worked well, and it is an approach that likely will be employed when Douglass steps onto the starting block for the 100 freestyle in Toronto.
Over the years, it has been commonplace to see athletes improve their speed over the course of a World Cup swing. If that scenario unfolds for Douglass, she could certainly dip under the 50-second barrier and take her place in history.
