Gretchen Walsh was a considerable favorite to win gold before U.S. teammate Torri Huske's stunning close in the final second
A month ago, Gretchen Walsh shattered the 100-meter butterfly world record at the U.S. Olympic swimming trials, so it was only right she entered the Olympic final Sunday as a favorite to win the race.
In fact, with -155 odds to win gold at BetMGM, Walsh had the best odds of any American not named Katie Ledecky to win a swimming event at the Paris Olympics. And for about 54 seconds of an exhilarating race, Walsh appeared well on her way to claiming that gold.
However, when the race concluded in just over 55 seconds, it was a different American to touch the wall first. Torri Huske made an incredible close in the final moments to edge out Walsh by .04 seconds.
THE AMERICANS FINISH 1-2.
Torri Huske wins gold and Gretchen Walsh grabs silver in the women's 100m fly. #ParisOlympics pic.twitter.com/wFPQUF5ARC
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) July 28, 2024
Team USA finished first and second, winning gold and silver as the odds had projected, so Huske’s making the podium was far from a surprise. But her spot at the top was anything but a given. FanDuel at one point apparently had Huske at +850 odds to win gold, according to The Sporting News.
None of that mattered when they were in the water and it was time to bring it home. Regardless, it was a special moment for both Huske and Walsh, as the finish represented the first individual Olympic medals for the two. Both previously won silver medals as part of the U.S. 4x100m relay team.