Imagine diving into a race and unexpectedly shattering expectations—that’s exactly what World Champion Mollie O’Callaghan did when she dipped her toes into SCM (Short Course Meters) racing. But here’s where it gets exciting: O’Callaghan not only secured a commanding win in the 200-meter freestyle at the 2025 Swimming World Cup in Carmel, Indiana, but she also came within a hair’s breadth—just 0.5 seconds—of breaking the world record. This is no small feat, especially considering she’s bouncing back from a season marred by injury. Now, she’s setting her sights on using SCM racing in North America as a springboard for her 2026 season. And this is the part most people miss: her performance hints at a potential shift in her training strategy, raising questions about whether SCM could become a cornerstone of her future success.
Mark your calendars: The 2025 Swimming World Cup in Carmel is set to make waves from October 10-12, 2025, in Carmel, Indiana. For those eager to dive into the details, here’s everything you need to know:
- Meet Central: https://www.worldaquatics.com/competitions/4969/world-aquatics-swimming-world-cup-2025
- Psych Sheets: https://swimswam.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/ENTRIES_BOOK.pdf
- Live Results: https://www.omegatiming.com/2025/world-aquatics-swimming-world-cup01-live-results
- All The Links: https://swimswam.com/all-the-links-you-need-for-the-2025-carmel-world-cup-stop/
How to Watch: Whether you’re tuning in from the U.S., Canada, Europe, or anywhere else, there’s a streaming option for you. U.S. viewers can catch both prelims and finals on the USA Swimming Network and Peacock, while Canadians can stream every session on CBC. For most European nations, Eurovision Sport is your go-to platform. Globally, the World Aquatics Recast channel offers live and on-demand streaming for just $8.26 USD (590 credits). For a full breakdown of viewing options, check out https://swimswam.com/how-to-watch-2025-world-cup-carmel-stop/.
Controversial Question: Is SCM racing the future for elite swimmers like O’Callaghan, or is it just a temporary detour? Her performance in Carmel suggests it could be a game-changer, but not everyone agrees. What do you think? Let us know in the comments—we’re eager to hear your take!
In This Story:
- Mollie O'Callaghan: https://swimswam.com/bio/mollie-ocallaghan/
- Coleman Hodges: https://swimswam.com/bio/coleman-hodges/
Coleman Hodges, a Missouri native, began his aquatic journey at just 1 year old—though he admits he has no memory of it. By age 9, he joined the Columbia Swim Club, where his stylish dragon swim trunks became the stuff of legend. Today, he continues to make waves in the swimming world, bringing his unique perspective to every story he covers. Read More.
