Twitter exploded with memes and gifs, depicting Gaines riding a turbo-charged dolphin although Thomas sipped herbal tea in the sluggish lane. Memes aside, Gaines’ triumph sparked a countrywide debate on whether or not espresso really should be thought of a overall performance-maximizing drug in swimming.

In a press convention, Gaines diplomatically recommended a rematch with Thomas, but this time in a huge cup of coffee rather than a swimming pool. “Let’s see who floats and who sinks when the stakes are a venti latte,” she quipped, leaving every person in stitches.

As the swimming environment tries to digest this blend of humor and competitive chaos, 1 issue is clear – Riley Gaines just taught us that in some cases, all you want to conquer the impossible is a fantastic perception of humor and a splash of caffeine.