The 2026 Pan Pacific Championships kicked off on August 12th, 2026, with an exciting lineup of races and some notable scratches. The opening day saw the 50 fly, 200 free, 100 back, and 200 fly events for both genders, along with early heats in the men's 800 free and women's 1500 free.
Notable Scratches:
- Kaylee McKeown and Mollie O'Callaghan, both gold medal favorites in their respective events, withdrew from the meet.
- Summer McIntosh dropped the 200 fly in favor of the 200 free.
- Tomoru Honda, a Japanese Olympic medalist, withdrew due to criminal charges.
- Claire Curzan and Thomas Heilman scratched the 50 fly, prioritizing other events.
- Torri Huske and Alex Walsh withdrew from the women's 200 free and 200 fly, respectively.
- Destin Lasco and Keaton Jones scratched the 100 back, opting for the 200 free.
Previews and Highlights:
- Summer McIntosh, a three-time Olympic champion, focused on the 200 free, aiming to join the 1:52 club and challenge Ariarne Titmus' world record.
- Gretchen Walsh, the American Record holder in the 50 fly, seeks to break the 12-year-old world record.
- The men's 50 fly is wide open, with Ben Armbruster and Van Mathias as top contenders.
- Luke Hobson, a favorite in the men's 200 free, faces competition from six men under 1:45, including Kai Taylor.
- The women's 100 back is Regan Smith's race to lose, with only Katharine Berkoff and Claire Curzan as potential threats.
- The men's 100 back is wide open, with Will Modglin, Jack Aikins, Daniel Diehl, and Blake Tierney vying for a spot on the podium.
- The women's 200 fly is a battle between Elizabeth Dekkers and Brittany Castelluzzo, with only 10 swimmers competing.
- The men's 200 fly features Luca Urlando, Thomas Heilman, Carson Foster, and Dare Rose, with only two spots for the U.S. in the final.
The meet promises intense competition and exciting races as swimmers aim to make their mark on the Pan Pacific Championships.
