Gemmell, Grimes Scratch Women’s 400 Free Final, Han and Smith Get Bumped Up (UPDATED)

By Yanyan Li on SwimSwam

2024 U.S. OLYMPIC TRIALS

• June 15-23, 2024
• Lucas Oil Stadium — Indianapolis, IN
• LCM (50 Meters)
• Session Start Times (ET):
  • 11 a.m. Prelims
  • 7:45 p.m. Finals (varying based on broadcast needs)
• Meet Central
• Broadcast Info
• SwimSwam’s Definitive Guide to Trials
• Psych Sheets
• Live Results
• SwimSwam Preview Index
• SwimSwam Pick ’em Contest
• Day 1 Prelims Live Recap

DAY 1 PRELIMS HEAT SHEET

This article has been updated following news of Grimes’ scratch.

Kayla Han and Leah Smith have been moved into the ‘A’ final of the women’s 400 freestyle, as Erin Gemmell and Katie Grimes, who finished fifth and seventh in prelims respectively, scratched out. Han initially finished ninth in prelims with a time of 4:09.96, missing finals by just 0.09 seconds. Meanwhile, Smith was tenth with a 4:10.09.

Han’s upgrade was confirmed by Carmel Swim Club’s Instagram account, whereas sources told SwimSwam that it was Gemmell and Grimes who scratched.

Here’s the updated women’s 400 free final, with seed times from Saturday morning’s prelims:

1. Katie Ledecky — 3:59.99
2. Paige Madden — 4:04.83
3. Jillian Cox — 4:06.35
4. Madi Mintenko — 4:07.53
5. Aurora Roghair — 4:09.67
6. Anna Peplowski — 4:09.87
7. Kayla Han — 4:09.96
8. Leah Smith — 4:10.09.

Han’s prelims time was a personal best, beating out the 4:10.10 she clocked at the Indianapolis Speedo Sectionals this March. Now, she has an extra opportunity to improve upon that best time.

At just 16 years old, Han is competing at her second Olympic trials, after having swum at Wave I of the meet in 2021. This season, she moved from California to Indiana to swim at the Carmel Swim Club after previously racing for the LaMirada Armada club.

Smith made the 2016 Olympic team in the 400 free, but missed the Tokyo Olympics in its entirety in 2021. Swimming the 400 free finals will give her a chance to bounce back and qualify for Paris. Notably, Smith said on Instagram that she tore her labrum in Janurary.

Gemmell was not a favorite to make the Olympic team, but she was one of the top five or six contenders in the event. She holds a best time of 4:05.07 that would have placed third at the 2021 U.S. Olympic trials, and was fifth at U.S. Nationals last year. She still has the 200 free, 100 free, 200 IM, and 50 free left to swim. In 2023, Gemmell made the World Championships team in the 4×200 free relay, and will be expected to do so again for the Paris Olympic Games.

Grimes holds a best time of 4:05.18, which also would have finished third at 2021 trials. She finished tenth in the event at 2023 U.S. Nationals. Sandpipers of Nevada head coach Ron Atiken told SwimSwam that the scratch was because Grimes was focusing on events that she was capable of medalling in, which they didn’t think was achievable in the 400 free. For reference, the third-ranked time in the world is Erika Fairweather‘s 3:59.44.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Gemmell, Grimes Scratch Women’s 400 Free Final, Han and Smith Get Bumped Up (UPDATED)