U.S. Olympian Claire Weinstein has pulled out of the 2026 Pan Pacific Championships.
Weinstein made the announcement on social media, citing three weeks in a hospital bed, though she didn’t disclose anything further.
“Unfortunately, I have made the decision not to race at the Pan Pacific Championships next week. This was incredibly difficult as representing my country is one of the greatest honors, however I don’t want to wear the USA cap unless I know I am prepared to race at an elite level,” Claire Weinstein wrote on Instagram. “3 weeks in a hospital bed really puts things into perspective and I’m just grateful that I’m able to be back in the water doing what I love again. I will never take the grind for granted and trust I will be back 🙂
“I wish my teammates all the best and I can’t wait to watch everyone crush it in Irvine!”
Weinstein, an NCAA champion at Cal in March, was slated to swim four events and possibly a relay for the U.S. She was on the roster for the 200 free, 400 free, 800 free and 1500 free.
The Sandpipers of Nevada swimmer has been a distance freestyle factor on the world’s stage for years.
At the 2022 World Championships, she was the youngest competitor since 2007.
She has been as fast as 1:54.67 in the 200 freestyle.
The U.S. has Anna Peplowski, Torri Huske and Erin Gemmell in the 200 free, along with Katie Ledecky, who is slated to swim the same four races as Weinstein was entered in. Jillian Cox is slated to swim the 800 free and 1500 free.
