The 2024 World Aquatics Swimming World Cup series has already excited swim fans, with three short course world records shattered before reaching the third stop in Singapore. This time, athletes are competing in a 25-meter pool, known as short course meters, rather than the long course events they swam in at the Paris Olympic Games. This format also differs from the college season, as the NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships take place in short course yards.
The first stop of the World Cup was in Shanghai, China, from October 18-20. After that, athletes packed their bags and headed to Incheon, South Korea, where they stayed until October 26, before moving on to Singapore for stop three from October 31 to November 2. With more events on the horizon, these athletes also have the chance to earn some cash.
Short Course Swimming World Records Shattered
Switzerland’s Noè Ponti set a new world record in the men’s 50 butterfly in Shanghai with a time of 21.67 seconds. At just 23 years old, he previously won a bronze medal in the 100 butterfly in Tokyo. However, he was unable to achieve the same level of success at the 2024 Paris Games, finishing fourth in the 100 butterfly and fifth in the 200 butterfly.
In Shanghai, Ponti narrowly missed winning the 100 medley by just 0.01 seconds, with France’s Léon Marchand—who secured four gold medals in Paris—taking the victory. The two faced off again in Incheon, where they tied in the same event. In Incheon, Ponti also won the 100 butterfly with a time of 48.81, despite his goggles falling off right after his dive.