Australia Has Won Their First Gold In Women Swimming 4 X 4 Freestyle Relay!
Australia has its first gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics after a blistering world record swim from the women’s 4x100 freestyle relay team.
It comes as Jack McLoughlin claimed a silver medal in the 400m freestyle and Australian favourite Elijah Winnington produced a major shock by finishing a disappointing seventh in a final that saw a Tunisian swimmer claim victory from lane eight on the opening day of finals.
Australia’s relay team of Bronte Campbell, Meg Harris, Emma McKeon and Cate Campbell went into the race at hot favourites and led from the 200m mark.
Australia were in second place after Bronte Campbell’s first leg (53.01) before Harris got the team back in front with a split of 53.09.
McKeon (51.35) and Cate Campbell (52.24) powered the team home to victory in 3:29.69, more than three seconds clear of their Canadian and American rivals.
It was Australia’s third consecutive Olympic gold medal in this event.
Australia smashed their own world record of 3:30.05, set in 2018 on the Gold Coast.
Cate Campbell now has three Olympic gold medals to her name - all from 4x100m freestyle relays.
“It’s incredible ... it’s been a long time with this team,” said Bronte Campbell. “One of my favourite memories of being part of the Australian team is being part of this particular team. Incredible group of girls. So fantastic for Meg as a freshy on the team.”