Kate Douglass Responds to Phelps and Lochtes Claims About the Death of American Swimming

Two-time Olympic champion of 2024 and 17-time world champion, American swimmer **[Kate Douglass](https://www.championat.com/tags/43202-kejt-duglass/)**, responded to comments made by Americans **Michael Phelps** and **Ryan Lochte** regarding the «decline of American swimming.»

«They are legends of our sport and entitled to their opinions. People have likely become accustomed to the USA always winning in every event and at all distances. But that is not the case anymore, and perhaps it never will be.

Other countries have stepped up; Australia, France, South Africa, Germany, Italy, China, and Russia all have strong programs. Each distance has its leaders and favorites, and they are always changing; sometimes things don’t go as planned. Phelps and Lochte want us to maintain the high standards they set, which are indeed lofty, making it a tough challenge. But we are doing our best; we cannot back down,” Douglass stated in an interview with journalist Rustam Imamov from «Championat.»

Lochte created a collage featuring a gravestone inscribed: «USA Swimming Team, 1980 — 2025, 45 years. They set the bar high—until they stopped reaching for it.» Phelps shared this photo on his profile.