President Trump issued an executive order to strengthen efforts in protecting U.S. nationals from wrongful detention abroad by designating offending countries as State Sponsors of Wrongful Detention and implementing sanctions and travel restrictions, with mechanisms for lifting such designations if conditions improve.
During the US nationals 200-meter final, Noah Lyles won against Kenny Bednarek in a tense race that ended with Bednarek shoving Lyles after the finish line, leading to heated exchanges and a call for a rematch, highlighting ongoing rivalries and the energetic atmosphere in track and field.
Several top seeds, including Kieran Smith, Lucy Bell, and Kate Douglass, withdrew from events at the 2025 U.S. National Championships preliminaries, affecting the competition lineup as athletes adjust their schedules for the upcoming World Championships in Singapore.
The second day of the 2025 U.S. Nationals featured intense prelims across multiple swimming events, with standout performances from Katie Ledecky, Gretchen Walsh, and Luke Hobson, setting the stage for exciting finals in Indianapolis.
The first day of the 2025 U.S. National Championships featured exciting races with Regan Smith winning the women's 200 butterfly and Torri Huske taking the women's 100 freestyle, both setting impressive times. Luca Urlando and Carson Foster led the men's 200 fly, while Jack Alexy and Patrick Sammon delivered standout performances in the men's 100 free. The event also saw Finke dominate the men's 1500 free, with multiple swimmers qualifying for the World Championships.
The first day of the 2025 U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis featured preliminary heats in the 200 butterfly and 100 freestyle, with top swimmers like Regan Smith, Alex Shackell, and Jack Alexy qualifying for the finals, setting the stage for an exciting competition as athletes aim for World Championship spots.
The U.S. State Department has issued its highest travel warning against Venezuela, citing severe risks of wrongful detention, torture, and kidnapping, and warns that more U.S. nationals are wrongfully detained there than anywhere else, urging Americans to leave immediately as no U.S. diplomatic presence remains in the country.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi mentioned two US nationals from California during his Mann Ki Baat radio broadcast, who were inspired by Swami Vivekananda's experiences and undertook the Amarnath Yatra pilgrimage to the holy Amarnath shrine. PM Modi highlighted the global appeal of Indian pilgrimages and the acceptance of everyone in India. The annual Amarnath Yatra has seen an increase in foreign pilgrims, attracting people from around the world. The radio programme, broadcast in multiple languages, is part of the government's citizen-outreach initiative.
Numerous swimmers were disqualified at the U.S. Nationals, most for "dolphin kick during breaststroke" violations, after the introduction of underwater video equipment to initiate calls. The disqualifications, including high-profile swimmers like Emma Weyant, sparked concerns about the system's impact on swimmers' results and the ability to nitpick minor details. Coaches and athletes expressed frustration with the lack of prior experience with the technology and the consequential disqualifications at a selection meet for the World Championships.
Caeleb Dressel finishes third in the 50-meter butterfly at the U.S. nationals, failing to qualify for the world championships. Dressel, who won the event at the past two worlds, touched the wall in 23.35 seconds, behind winner Michael Andrew and runner-up Dare Rose. Despite the disappointment, Dressel has two more chances to make the U.S. team in the 100 fly and 50 freestyle. Other top swimmers are rooting for Dressel's success.
Katie Ledecky secures her sixth trip to the world championships by dominating the 800-meter freestyle at the U.S. nationals, finishing in 8 minutes, 7.07 seconds. Ledecky's time was her third-fastest in the event, and she will join an elite group of U.S. swimmers to make the world championships six times. No other swimmer came close to Ledecky, with the second-place finisher more than 13 seconds behind. Ledecky will attempt to become the first swimmer to win the same event at six world championships next month in Fukuoka, Japan.
Chloe Dygert and Quinn Simmons won their first elite U.S. national road race titles, while Tadej Pogačar, Dylan van Baarle, and Demi Vollering were among the other newly crowned national champions. Remco Evenepoel won the Belgian tricolore after claiming his eighth win of the season at the race through Flanders.