U.S. International Team Trials: Olympic Bronze Medalist Kate Douglass Out of 200 IM

Kate Douglass -- Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

U.S. International Team Trials: Olympic Bronze Medalist Kate Douglass Out of 200 IM

The swimmer who captured Olympic bronze in the 200 IM at last year’s Tokyo Olympics will not compete in the event at the 2022 World Championships. Kate Douglass did not show up for her prelims swim in the event at U.S. International Team Trials in Greensboro. She was the second-seeded swimmer and did not officially scratch prior to the release of heat sheets, but her lane was empty.

Douglass has already qualified for the World Championships team by virtue of her second-place finish in the 200 breaststroke and her fifth-place result in the 100 free (for a relay spot), but instead of the 200 IM, she will race the 50 freestyle on the final day of the meet. Douglass had faced a tough decision about whether to attempt both races or pick one of them, and she said she would make a “game-time decision” about her lineup.

Douglass broke the American and U.S. Open records in the 50-yard freestyle at the NCAA Championships last month, but the 50 free presents a tougher challenge for qualification than the 200 IM. Douglass’ competitors will include Olympic finalist Abbey Weitzeil, 100 freestyle winner Torri Huske, and 100 freestyle runnerup Claire Curzan.

Melanie Margalis, the fourth-place finisher in the 200 IM at the 2016 Olympics and a World Championship finalist in the event in 2017 and 2019, was also absent from the race.

In the 200 IM, Douglass’ withdrawal leaves University of Virginia teammate and Olympic silver medalist Alex Walsh as the big favorite for the final, while Leah Hayes and Beata Nelson will be the primary contenders for the second spot.

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