Swimming legends Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte have openly criticized USA Swimming’s recent performance at the World Championships, sharing a stark “funeral” meme to express their disappointment.
A Grim Message from the Legends
Six-time Olympic gold medalist Ryan Lochte initiated the social media discussion on Instagram. He posted a meme depicting a funeral scene, with a tombstone inscribed: “In loving memory of United States Swimming.”
The inscription further elaborated: “They set the bar high — until they stopped reaching for it.” Lochte added his own caption to the post, suggesting: “Call it a funeral or call it a fresh start. We’ve got 3 years.”
Not long after, Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian of all time, echoed the sentiment. He shared the same meme on his Instagram, posing a critical question: “Is this the wake-up call USA swimming needed?”
A Dip in Dominance
The American team’s performance at the ongoing Swimming World Championships in Singapore has raised concerns. USA currently sits third in the Aquatics World Championship medals table, with six gold medals out of 23 total.
This places them behind China, who lead with 14 golds among 31 medals, and Australia, who are second with nine golds and 20 medals overall. This trend signals a shift from the U.S.’s historically dominant position in the sport.
The team’s struggles aren’t isolated to this event. They were reportedly underwhelming at the Paris Olympics last year, securing only eight gold medals. This was their lowest gold total since the 1988 Seoul Olympics, hinting at a prolonged period of declining top-tier performance.
Challenges Beyond the Pool
Several factors might be contributing to these results. Before the World Championships, Team USA faced an outbreak of “acute gastroenteritis” during their training camp in Thailand, which likely affected athlete performance.
Beyond health issues, the governing body, USA Swimming, has been without a permanent CEO for a year. Tim Hinchey resigned from the position a year ago, and his brief replacement, Chrissi Rawak, stepped down after only a few days.
This leadership vacuum has not gone unnoticed. Three-time Olympic gold medalist Rowdy Gaines sharply criticized the organization, calling it “rudderless.” He questioned the feasibility of any major corporation operating for a year without a chief executive.
Looking Ahead
With the next Olympics scheduled for Los Angeles in 2028, these performances and internal challenges pose a significant concern for USA Swimming. The critiques from legends like Phelps and Lochte highlight the urgent need for a turnaround.
- USA Swimming is currently third in medals at the World Championships.
- They recorded their lowest Olympic gold medal total since 1988 at the recent Paris Olympics.
- The team has been affected by illness and lacks a permanent CEO for a year.
- Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte used a “funeral” meme to express their strong disapproval.
The question remains whether this public outcry will serve as the necessary “wake-up call” for the organization to reclaim its former glory.
