Jack Alexy Sets New 100m Freestyle World Record

Jack Alexy has become the new world record holder in the men’s 100-meter freestyle. On Saturday, during the 2026 USA Swimming Short Course World Championship Trials held in Westmont, Illinois, Alexy surpassed the previous record of 44.84 seconds. He finished with a remarkable time of 44.64 seconds.

Representing the California Golden Bears, Alexy’s performance was met with euphoria as he hit the wall, confirming his place in history. His success comes after years of effort and determination. Previously, at the December 2024 World Aquatics Swimming Championships in Budapest, Alexy secured his first individual gold with a time of 45.38 seconds.

In this race, his Team USA teammate from the 2024 Paris Olympics, Chris Guiliano, placed second with a time of 45.22 seconds. Caeleb Dressel, another experienced Olympian, came third, clocking in at 45.65 seconds.

The 2024 Paris Olympics were memorable for Alexy. He won his first gold in the 4x100m freestyle relay and later broke the American and world championship record with a lead-off time of 45.05 seconds in Hungary. Guiliano was one of his relay teammates.

Alexy’s achievement came shortly after Russia’s Egor Kornev matched the previous world record during the World Cup competition. Reflecting on his recent race, Alexy shared his excitement with Swimming World Magazine, saying, “That felt pretty good.” He emphasized the importance of qualifying for individual events in both the 50 and 100 meters, feeling confident after his morning performance.

He also spoke about how racing against a competitive U.S. field at selection meets adds positive pressure, preparing athletes for high-stakes competitions. Looking ahead, Alexy aims to improve his speed for the World Aquatics Swimming Championships in Beijing, scheduled from December 1 to 6.

Scott Thompson, a sports writer for Fox News Digital, reports on this achievement.