Regan Smith world record: USA's swimmer regains 100-meter backstroke crown at Olympic trials

Brendan OSullivan

•
Regan Smith world record: USA's swimmer regains 100-meter backstroke crown at Olympic trials image

Regan Smith has been swimming at her best pace over the past two days.

Just a day after setting a new American record in the 100-meter backstroke, Smith set a new world record in the same race at the 2024 Olympics swim trials.

She locked in her spot at the Olympics with a 55.13 finish in the 100-meter backstroke.

Her time beats the previous record of 57.33 held by Australia's Kaylee McKeown set during the 2023 World Cup.

MORE: Who will make the USA's 2024 Olympics swimming team?

Smith has put herself and the USA back on top. The 22-year-old swimmer set the world record back in 2019 as a 17-year-old but went years without topping that time.

Smith knew the world record was in play entering Tuesday's final, even saying "it was part of the plan" to take back her crown.

"I'm so proud of myself," Smith said. "Backstroke is hard for me sometimes, but to fight back like this and get [the world record] back means a lot."

MORE: Full list of medal winners at USA's 2024 Olympics swimming trials

Smith beat out Katharine Berkoff by 0.78 seconds. Here's the full results of that final:

Women's 100m backstroke results

PlaceSwimmerTime
1Regan Smith57.13
2Katharine Berkoff57.91
3Kennedy Noble58.81
4Josephine Fuller59.03
5Rhyan White59.07
6Phoebe Bacon59.37
7Leah Shackley59.40
8Claire Curzan59.57

Brendan OSullivan

Brendan OSullivan Photo

Brendan O'Sullivan is an editorial intern for Sporting News, joining in 2024. He previously worked at Newsday on Long Island, New York after graduating from Quinnipiac University.