Lydia Jacoby, a 2022 graduate of Seward High School, announced on Instagram on Tuesday that she will not compete in the 200-meter breaststroke at the U.S. Olympic Trials in Indianapolis.
The women’s 200 breaststroke semifinals are Wednesday, while the final is Thursday.
Monday, Jacoby finished third in the final of the 100 breaststroke. She would have had to finish in the top two to qualify to defend her gold medal in the 100 breaststroke at the Summer Olympics in Paris.
The 200 breaststroke was Jacoby’s other shot at the Olympics. According to swimswam.com, Jacoby is tied for fourth on the list of entrants in the event with a lifetime best of 2:24.03. Kate Douglass is tops at 2:19.30, while Lilly King is next at 2:19.92 and Alex Walsh is third at 2:22.87.
“I am not defined by my results,” Jacoby wrote on Instagram. “I am more than an athlete. I will be back. And I will be better.
“I have made the decision to scratch from the 200 breaststroke later this week in order to process and rejuvenate.
“I wish the best of luck to my incredible teammates in Paris and will be cheering loudly from home ♥️ go USA!!!”
