Bella Sims, US Olympian & NCAA Star, Announces Transfer Portal Move

Florida Gators swimming star Bella Sims has officially entered the transfer portal following her sophomore season, shaking up the college swimming world. With two years of NCAA eligibility still available, Sims has indicated a “do not contact” status, suggesting she may already have a specific program in mind.

During the 2024 SEC Championships, Sims showcased her exceptional talent by winning titles in the 200 backstroke, 200 butterfly, and 200 individual medley. She also significantly contributed to Florida’s relay achievements, helping the Gators secure victories in the 200 free, 400 free, and 800 free relays, while finishing as the runner-up in the 400 medley.

At the 2024 NCAA Championships, Sims continued to impress. As a freshman, she captured national championships in the 500 free and 200 free, and placed second in the 200 backstroke, just behind Wisconsin’s Phoebe Bacon. Additionally, she played a vital role in Florida’s triumph in the 800 free relay, starting with an outstanding time of 1:41.03.

Bella Sims’ lineup in SECs differed from that at NCAAs this past season. At SECs, she placed third in the 200 IM and won the 100 back, 200 back, and 200 IM swimming events. In an attempt to defend her championship at NCAAs, she traded in the 200 IM for the 500 free.

On the first night of the 2025 NCAA Championships, Sims helped the 800 free relay place third. The team’s best result of the week was that relay. She finished 17th in the preliminary round of the 500 free on day 2, which prevented her from reaching the final. She recovered and ended the meet in second place in both the 100 and 200 backstrokes.

According to the “do not contact” note, coaches are not allowed to contact the athlete without permission; this often means that the athlete has a specific destination in mind or wishes to have complete control over the process.

Time Progression

	Pre-Florida	Freshman	Sophomore
100 free	47.16	47.01	46.53
200 free	1:40.78	1:40.90	1:42.55
500 free	4:28.64	4:32.47	4:31.06
100 back	50.53	50.02	48.97
200 back	1:48.32	1:48.47	1:47.11
200 fly	1:51.06	1:51.45	1:53.11
200 IM	1:52.73	1:51.86	1:53.63
400 IM	3:56.59	4:01.47	4:00.44

Bella Sims has made significant strides in various events since joining Florida. As the top-ranked recruit in her class, she recorded the fastest times in 10 out of 14 events for the high school class of 2023, showcasing her adaptability.

Her personal best in the 500 free, clocking in at 4:28.64, ranks her as the fourth-best performer in history. Additionally, she holds the third-fastest time ever in the 100 back, the second-fastest in the 200 back, and the fifth-fastest in the 400 IM.

On the international stage, she has proudly represented the United States multiple times. In 2020, she earned a spot on the US Olympic team for Tokyo after finishing fifth in the 200 free at the Trials, which led to her participation in the prelims of the 4×200 free relay that ultimately secured a silver medal in the finals. The following year, at the 2022 World Championships, Sims delivered a crucial 1:54.60 anchor leg that helped the US women’s 4×200 free relay clinch gold.

Bella Sims competed in both the individual and relay events at the 2023 Worlds. She placed 6th in the 200-meter free and eighth in the 400-meter free. She took part in the women’s 4×200 free relay finals, where she won silver, and the mixed 4×100 free relay final event.

Sims only accepted the International Testing Agency’s (ITA) “no fault or negligence” conclusion yesterday after testing positive for the prohibited drug hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ). On September 24, 2024, the sample was gathered during an out-of-competition test. “World Aquatics’ investigation found that the banned substance was in a contaminated medicine I was prescribed after being diagnosed with a torn labrum in my hip,” Sims wrote on Instagram.

A student-athlete can talk with other coaches about the prospect of transferring by using the transfer portal, but it is not necessary for them to transfer. The student-athlete occasionally goes back to their previous school.