The 2025 World Aquatics Swimming World Cup is set to commence its North American Tour. With the first stop in Carmel, the event is ready to welcome swimmers from all over the globe. Joining the star-studded lineup will be the American stars Gretchen Walsh and Kate Douglass. However, including both Walsh and Douglass, there are only seven American swimmers who entered representing the U.S. National Team. A close look at the list of US swimmers will reveal the absence of some big names, which made Paralympic star Justin Zook to call out the system. 

Joining Douglass, Smith and Walsh under the U.S. banner will be Michel Andrew, Shaine Casas, Luke Hobson and Kieran Smith. After the roster for the US National team was announced, the EIC of Swim Swam news, Braden Keith, voiced his concerns bluntly on X and asked, “Does anyone in the U.S. even enjoy swimming anymore? Or is it just like something we all do to prove we’re bigger than our childhood traumas?” 

That observation set the stage for a deeper discussion with three-time Paralympic champion Justin Zook, who did not hesitate to confront the state of affairs. In response he asked Keith to share the list of big names who aren’t participating in the World Cup. Keith’s reply listed them one by one, “Ledecky. Dressel. Santo. Finke. Rose. Heilman. Huske. Curzan. Most of the big college swimmers (who, I’ll remind you, were more than happy to skip a college meet for Golden Goggles, so…).” 

Zook’s reaction was measured but firm. “Figured as much those college kids maybe wouldn’t attend,” he acknowledged, before pointing to the crowded competition schedule. “I guess it’s kind of weird timing in their season and now that we keep adding all these other dual meet challenges etc it’s getting hard to figure out what to commit to maybe. Not excuse just reality the calendar.”

He added that the issue went beyond dates alone, “Has gotten really congested in some ways with a ton of events and different schedules. Also maybe host it some place else besides Carmel and you might have a handful more look to attend. Not saying it’s not a great facility etc but I feel like those meets draw better when theirs a touristy aspect to the location.”

Surely, even as Gretchen Walsh and Kate Douglass carry the U.S. flag into the first World Cup leg, the empty lanes of absent household names highlight a sport still grappling with its own calendar, commitments, and appeal. In fact, back in August, the American former competitive swimmer Rowdy Gaines also shared his persepective on how structure level issues are affecting Team USA’s performance overall.

Rowdy Gaines declares USA swimming adrift without a leader

Rowdy Gaines did not attempt to soften his words when he reflected on the state of American swimming. In the aftermath of Singapore, Gaines acknowledged the medal haul. But he also made a striking admission that success on paper could not conceal deeper faults. “A strong medal haul doesn’t mean there aren’t serious structural issues underneath,” said Gaines.

His concern was less about the competition itself and more about the absence of leadership at the highest level. Gaines pointed out that “USA Swimming has gone an entire year without a Chief Executive Officer. That’s not just an oversight – it’s a failure of leadership.” In his view, the lack of direction extended beyond temporary setbacks and spoke to a broader neglect. Aligning with Michael Phelps, Gaines stressed that criticism of the governing body was not an overreaction but a necessary confrontation, stating, “His post wasn’t an overreaction. It was a gut-check.”

By framing the issue in this way, Gaines separated the courage of the athletes from the responsibility of the organization. He credited the swimmers for giving “everything – under brutal conditions, far from home, in a post-Olympic year,” but his insistence remained clear. Resilience from athletes could not substitute for absent leadership.