Swimming Injury Report: Luca Urlando and David Johnston Prioritize Patient Rehab in Push for 2028

The post-Olympic year often brings a wave of deferred maintenance for elite swimmers, as the grueling toll of a four-year training cycle catches up with their bodies. As the summer 2026 season heats up, several top American athletes are making the difficult but mature decision to extend their injury rehabilitation rather than rush back to the starting blocks. Leading this patient approach are Olympians and NCAA champions Luca Urlando and David Johnston, who are both prioritizing long-term health over immediate competition.

For Luca Urlando, the journey back to full speed has required immense discipline. The 24-year-old Sacramento native and American record holder in the 200-yard butterfly was forced to withdraw from the 2026 NCAA Division I Men's Swimming and Diving Championships in March due to a lingering "minor injury." While his absence was a significant blow to the University of Georgia's podium hopes, Urlando recognized that pushing through pain could jeopardize his broader career goals.[3]

Urlando was initially slated to make his competitive return at the TYR Pro Swim Series in Sacramento in late May. However, after returning to full training for only a month, he and his coaching staff decided to scratch his events. Instead of forcing a comeback in front of a hometown crowd, Urlando chose to give his body more time to adapt to the rigors of elite water work.[1][2]

"I'm understanding that it's going to be a journey to get to the next meet, and really just trying to listen as much as possible to what my body and my mind need at the moment," Urlando explained. He emphasized the importance of taking his recovery one day at a time, a mindset born from navigating previous setbacks, including a major shoulder surgery in 2022.[1]

That sentiment is echoed by fellow American Olympian David Johnston, who is navigating his own rehabilitation timeline. Johnston, a distance freestyle specialist who competed at the 2024 Paris Olympics, saw his final season at the University of Texas derailed by a shoulder injury in the fall of 2025. Rather than rushing a return for the spring championships, Johnston opted to shut down his season and focus entirely on healing.

Johnston recently announced that he will use his remaining collegiate eligibility as a graduate transfer at the University of Florida for the 2026-2027 season. In his announcement, the 10-time All-American made it clear that his summer will be defined by physical therapy rather than racing. "I will be spending the next few months continuing to rehab my shoulder injury so that I am ready to go next season," Johnston stated. "I will come back better."

The cautious approach taken by Urlando and Johnston highlights a growing awareness of the biomechanical demands of the sport. A recent systematic review of aquatic injuries confirmed that the shoulder is by far the most frequently damaged joint among competitive swimmers, driven by the repetitive, high-intensity overhead movements required in training. The lumbar spine and knees also face significant degenerative risks from high-volume yardage.[4]

Sports medicine professionals stress that the road to recovery cannot be rushed. Physical therapists note that true healing requires clearing initial inflammation before gradually rebuilding strength, flexibility, and coordination. By skipping summer exhibition meets, athletes allow their tissues the biological time needed to repair, minimizing the risk of chronic setbacks that often plague swimmers who return too soon.[5]

This emphasis on sustainable health is being championed at the highest levels of the sport. World Aquatics recently launched a global education program focused specifically on "pre-hab" and shoulder health. The initiative aims to equip swimmers with complementary training methods—such as targeted Pilates and rotator cuff stabilization—to reduce injury risk and enhance overall joint longevity.[5]

In previous eras, swimming culture often glorified pushing through pain, sometimes at the cost of an athlete's long-term well-being. Today, the narrative is shifting. Swimmers are increasingly empowered to hit pause, utilizing Olympic redshirts, graduate transfers, and extended rehab windows to ensure they are physically and mentally prepared for the sport's biggest stages.[4]

While fans will have to wait a little longer to see Urlando and Johnston back in peak racing form, their disciplined approach to recovery sets a powerful example for the next generation of athletes. By prioritizing their bodies now, they are laying a resilient foundation for the upcoming NCAA season and their ultimate goal: the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.[1]