US Swimming Faces Internal Criticism Amid World Championships

American swimming legends Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte have publicly criticized the current performance of Team USA at the World Championships in Singapore, posting a digital gravestone image symbolizing the 'death' of U.S. swimming and calling for a wake-up call. Their remarks followed a disappointing start for the U.S. team, particularly in relay events, and pointed to deeper structural issues within USA Swimming, with Lochte urging a fresh start ahead of the 2028 Olympics. However, active swimmers like Gretchen Walsh have expressed frustration with the criticism, highlighting the team's struggles with acute gastroenteritis during the pre-championships camp in Thailand and emphasizing their focus on competing despite these challenges. Despite the early setbacks, Team USA leads the medal table with 26 medals and eight golds, largely driven by the female swimmers, including Katie Ledecky's continued dominance. The controversy underscores tensions between past champions' demands for systemic change and current athletes' efforts to perform amidst adversity. This dialogue brings increased attention to the pressure USA Swimming faces as it prepares for future international competitions.