Indianapolis - Lydia Jacoby, the talented swimmer from Alaska who captured hearts and secured gold at the Tokyo Olympics, will not be competing in the upcoming Paris Games. After an incredible performance in Japan, Jacoby fell short of qualifying for the 2024 Olympics during the U.S. Olympic trials.

Jacoby, still coming to terms with the disappointment, expressed mixed feelings about watching her event from home. She admitted that she had not fully processed the fact that she would not be participating and was uncertain if she would even tune in to see her fellow swimmers compete.

Despite her setback, Jacoby remains resilient and determined to bounce back. Winning the 100-meter breaststroke gold medal in Tokyo as the first Alaskan swimmer to represent the powerful American team was a monumental achievement for the 17-year-old sensation. Dealing with the sudden fame and attention was not without its challenges. Jacoby revealed that she went through a period of post-Olympic depression, feeling as though her identity was solely tied to her success as a swimmer. However, she has since come to recognize that she is much more than just an athlete, with a variety of passions and interests outside of the sport.

Jacoby arrived in Indianapolis with high hopes of securing another spot on the Olympic team, despite facing strong competition from veteran breaststroke swimmer, Lilly King. However, King emerged victorious in the 100 breast event, followed closely by Emma Weber, who claimed the second spot on the Paris-bound team by a mere 0.27 seconds. Jacoby expressed frustration over the outcome, but also extended her heartfelt congratulations to both King and Weber.

King, acknowledging the disappointment felt by her fiercest American rival, emphasized the incredibly competitive nature of the U.S. Olympic trials. She referred to it as the hardest meet in the world, capable of making or breaking a career in an instant. King voiced her unwavering support for Jacoby's future endeavors, hoping that she can move forward from this setback.

Jacoby, disheartened by her third-place finish, acknowledged that her race performance did not match her full potential. Her time of 1 minute, 6.37 seconds was over a second slower than her time during the 2021 trials and significantly far from her gold-winning time of 1:04.95 at the Olympics. However, she maintains a positive outlook and vows to return to the pool with renewed determination.

Looking ahead, Jacoby remains committed to her swimming career and has her sights set on the 2028 Los Angeles Games. At just 20 years old, Jacoby has plenty of time to hone her skills and make her mark in future competitions. Thoughts of retirement, which briefly crossed her mind after the Tokyo Olympics, have been shelved as she continues to chase her dreams in the pool.

Despite missing out on the Paris Olympics, Jacoby's story of resilience and determination continues to inspire fellow athletes and fans alike. Her incredible achievements at such a young age firmly establish her as a force to be reckoned with in the world of swimming, leaving no doubt that her name will be one to watch in the sporting world for years to come.