U.S. Swimmer Alex Walsh Loses Olympics Bronze Medal Due to Illegal Turn

Olympic Drama: Alex Walsh’s Disqualification Rocks Swimming World

The 200-meter individual medley relay at the 2024 Paris Olympics took a dramatic turn when Team USA’s Alex Walsh, a silver medalist from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, faced disqualification after an impressive qualifying round.

Qualifying Round Triumph

In the qualifying round, Walsh dominated her heat, finishing with a remarkable time of 2:07.45. Her performance secured her spot in the final race, where she was poised to contend for the gold medal. The anticipation was high, especially given her previous success on the Olympic stage.

The Final Showdown

During the 200-meter IM final, Walsh faced fierce competition. Canada’s Summer McIntosh, who had been a rising star throughout the games, clinched the gold medal. Meanwhile, Team USA’s Kate Douglass secured the silver. Walsh battled hard but finished third, just missing out on the podium.

Heart-breaking.
Alex Walsh finished 3rd in the 200IM, but was subsequently disqualified for an illegal turn out of the backstroke.
Oh my gosh.
I can’t imagine how she’s feeling.
Just awful. pic.twitter.com/pIptN8qjCS

— Chris Harris (@ChrisHarrisWSMV) August 3, 2024

The Shocking Disqualification

Shortly after leaving the pool, Walsh received devastating news: the judges had disqualified her. The reason? An illegal turn during the breaststroke leg. Walsh rotated fully onto her stomach before touching the wall, violating the rules. Her bronze medal was stripped away, leaving fans and analysts stunned.

That 200 IM was phenomenal, but man, the DQ for Alex Walsh (after she initially won bronze) soured things. It's the second year in a row that a major contender has been disqualified in this race.

That being said, the DQ seemed blatant. Definitely the right call.

— Yanyan Li (@yyanyanli1) August 3, 2024

A Bittersweet Outcome

For Walsh, this was her sole event in Paris. The disappointment was palpable, as she had worked tirelessly to reach this pinnacle. Despite the setback, her talent and determination remain undeniable. As the swimming world grapples with this unexpected twist, we can only hope to see Alex Walsh back in action, stronger and more determined than ever.