Local Athletes Shine at 2024 Olympics: Arlington Native Torri Huske Wins Gold
Arlington native Torri Huske has made her mark on the 2024 Olympic Games by securing a gold medal in the 100m butterfly event. The 21-year-old alumna of Yorktown High School narrowly defeated the world record holder by just .04 seconds in a thrilling finish. This victory marks the first gold medal won by a local athlete in the ongoing Games.
Meanwhile, Bethesda, Maryland can boast the most decorated female swimmer in Olympic history with Katie Ledecky, who clinched a bronze in the 400m freestyle event. Despite entering the race with the fastest qualifying time, this was Ledecky’s first-ever bronze medal.
Both Huske and Ledecky have contributed to the growing medal count for Team USA, which now stands at three golds, six silvers, and three bronzes. The U.S. currently leads the total medal count with 12, ahead of France with eight medals. However, when it comes to golds, Japan and Australia are tied at four each.
It’s worth noting that all the medals won by local athletes so far have come from the swimming events. Gretchen Walsh, a rising senior at the University of Virginia, also secured hardware in the women’s 4x100m freestyle relay and the women’s 100m butterfly, earning a silver medal in the latter event just behind Huske.
As the competition continues, fans can track the performances of the 21 DMV athletes competing at the Paris Games and stay updated on their schedules. The excitement of the Olympics is only just beginning, and with local talent like Huske and Walsh making waves, there’s sure to be more thrilling moments to come.
