Australia’s women retained their Olympic title by winning the 4x100m freestyle relay in world record time, with sisters Bronte and Cate Campbell swimming the last two stages to overhaul the United States, despite the efforts of Katie Ledecky on the anchor leg.
Advertisement
The sisters brought Australia home against the U.S. to set a new world record of 3.30.65, having already broken the Olympic record in the heats.
The relay victory came on the heels of Mack Horton’s victory in the men’s 400 freestyle, capping an impressive first night for an Australian team that captured only one swimming gold medal in London four years ago.
Tonight’s heroes have out-stripped the achievements of the Dawn Fraser-led assault of 1956-64 that saw Australia medal in three successive Olympics with a gold and two silvers, taking the medal run to four.
Australia’s swimmers are getting low to win gold at Rio 2016.
“It doesn’t get better than that”, Bronte said.
Bronte said the team had “saved a bit in the tank” for the final.
Olympics: 22-year-old Emma McKeon will be going for gold at Rio alongside her brother, David.
Elmslie handed over to Bronte for Australia and the complexion of the race changed considerably when the reigning world 100m freestyle champion cut down Dana Vollmer to trail by just 0.07 at the 250-metre mark.
McKeon led Australia out and was a close second behind American Simone Manuel after the first 100 metres.
Advertisement
Canada’s Sandrine Mainville, Chantal Van Landeghem, Taylor Ruck and Penny Oleksiak were third in 3:32.89.
