Summer Olympic Games Olympic Games Swimming

Olympic Games Swimming: American Lydia Jacoby Wins Gold Medal in Women's 100-Meter Breaststroke

Jacoby, the summer's biggest breakout star in swimming, takes home gold in her first major international final

After the Tokyo Olympics were postponed last year due to Covid-19, Katie Ledecky couldn't defend her gold medal in the women's 100-meter butterfly. Her teammate, Lydia Jacoby, stepped up to the plate and surprised the competition.

Coming off a dominant performance in the heats and semifinals, Jacoby was the favorite heading into the final, but she still faced stiff competition from Tatjana Schoenmaker of South Africa and Lilly King of the United States.

Jacoby was in third place at the halfway point of the race, but she surged ahead in the final 50 meters to win the gold medal in a time of 1:04.95.

Schoenmaker took the silver medal in 1:05.22, and King won the bronze medal in 1:05.54.

Jacoby's victory is a major upset, as she is only 17 years old and this was her first major international final.

She is the first American woman to win the gold medal in the women's 100-meter breaststroke since Amanda Beard in 2004.

Jacoby's victory is a testament to her hard work and dedication, and she is sure to be a force to be reckoned with in the years to come.