The 2026 U.S. Masters Spring Nationals ran from April 30 to May 3, and one of the key highlights of the meet was definitely the participation of 12-time Olympic medalist Jenny Thompson.

The meet featured 2,015 athletes from seven countries, including 300 from North Carolina. Thompson made her debut on Friday, racing the 50 fly and the 100 free in the women’s 50-54 age group.

She swam 25.71 in the 50 fly and 53.37 in the 100 freestyle. Thompson narrowly missed her own 100 freestyle record of 52.00, set in 2023. Additionally, she finished just one hundredth of a second shy of the 50 fly record of 25.70 set by Leslie Livingston in 2013.

Overall, it was a big occasion for other athletes to compete alongside Thompson, who was previously the joint-most decorated American female swimmer at the Olympics. She held the record with Dara Torres and Natalie Coughlin. Eventually, Katie Ledecky surpassed them at the Paris Olympics.

Thompson, who is an eight-time Olympic gold medalist, stepped into the meet to compete alongside multiple other Olympians.

It was a star-studded event, with Olympians like Casey Barrett, a 1996 Canadian Olympian; Oliver Elliot, a 2008 Chilean Olympian; Anton Ipsen, a 2016 and 2020 Danish Olympian; Vesna Shelnutt, a 2000 and 2004 North Macedonian Olympian; David Wharton, a 1988 and 1992 American Olympian; and Ashley Whitney, a 1996 American Olympian.

Jenny Thompson works as an Olympic ambassador with Swim Across America

American relay specialist Jenny Thompson last appeared at the Olympics in 2004 in Athens, Greece. However, decades later, she is still connected to swimming. She swims competitively with the Palmetto Masters Swim Team and volunteers as an Olympian ambassador with Swim Across America.

Swim Across America (SAA) is a nonprofit organization that raises funds for cancer awareness, research, prevention, and treatment through swimming events.

Last year, Thompson opened up about her experience working with SAA. "In 2004, my mom was diagnosed with esophageal cancer, so the events took on a whole new meaning for me, being able to feel like I’m contributing to the research that could help cure cancer someday. I hate swimming in open water, but I do it for her and others," she told Charleston Magazine in an interview from June 2025.

Thompson moved to the Lowcountry in 2018, and even after years of competing in the Olympics, she wanted to continue swimming competitively. She was one of the fastest female swimmers in her age group back in April 2023, when she competed in the U.S. Masters Swimming Championships in California.

"When we moved here I was nearing 50. A big part of aging gracefully is exercise, and I knew I could push myself in swimming. I joined the local US Masters team for the motivation of swimming with others and having a coach," she continued about her experience swimming in local groups.

"I also wanted to compete again, so I signed up for the national championship. It was crazy to be 'momming,' working at the VA, baking Christmas cookies, and breaking a world record all in the same weekend."

Read more at Swimmer's Club.

Written by

Atrayo Bhattacharya

Edited by

Sahil Prashar