Sarah Sjostrom Heads to 100 Fly Semifinals in Top Spot with New Olympic Record

Photo Courtesy: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

Editorial Coverage Sponsored By FINIS

100 butterfly world record holder Sarah Sjostrom of Sweden touched in Olympic record time of 55.84 and will be first tomorrow night. Australia’s Emma McKeon had a powerful swim from an outside lane and will return to finals in second with a 56.81. Japan’s Rikako Ikee took the first semifinal in 57.05 and will return to tomorrow’s final in third.

After the race, Sjostrom explained that if she could clean up some details, a world record may be in the cards in the final Sunday night.

“I felt great,” Sjostrom said. “I felt very strong, especially in the last 15 meters. I feel great about tomorrow.”

American Dana Vollmer snagged second in the first semifinal and will be fourth seed tomorrow night with her 57.06. World Junior record holder Penny Oleksiak of Canada stopped the clock in 57.10.

China’s Ying Lu (57.15) and Denmark’s Jeanette Ottesen followed in 57.15 and 57.47. Xinyi Chen of China completes tomorrow’s final after touching in 57.51.

9-16 to come

Name*

Email*

Welcome to our community. We invite you to join our discussion. Our community guidelines are simple: be respectful and constructive, keep on topic, and support your fellow commenters. Commenting signifies that you agree to our Terms of Use