On the opening morning of swimming finals at the Tokyo Olympics, Australia has captured a full set of medals highlighted by the Women’s 4x100m freestyle relay gold.
Australia has captured its first medals of the Tokyo Olympics with the Swimming Australia stars celebrating at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre.
The Australian women’s 4 x 100m freestyle relay team of Bronte Campbell, Meg Harris, Emma McKeon and Cate Campbell have won the gold medal in world record time, winning the event for the third straight Olympics.
The team stormed home with a time of 3:29:69, absolutely thrashing the record of 3:30.05, which was set by Australia in 2018, and finishing some three seconds ahead of silver medallist Canada.
Congratulations to the @DolphinsAUS stars and CGA alumni @Bronte_Campbell, @emma_mckeon & @catecamp and Olympic debutant Meg Harris to claim the first gold for the @AUSOlympicTeam 💚💛
CGA Alumni Madi Wilson & Olympic debutant Mollie O’Callaghan also get gold as team members! https://t.co/8O64oO8rPs pic.twitter.com/wRnYvzjlPu
— Commonwealth Games Australia (@CommGamesAUS) July 25, 2021
“It has been a long time with my team. One of my favourite memories of being part of the Australian team is being part of this particular team,” Bronte Campbell told Channel 7.
“Incredible group of girls. So fantastic for Meg as a freshy on the team and the next generation coming through is also amazing.”
“Incredible. There is no feeling like it,” Olympic debutant Harris said.
“Last night swimming with Maddie (Madison Wilson) I walked out and it was insane. Then to get the opportunity to do it again in the final is even better.”
Eight-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist Emma McKeon used all of her experience to power the Australian side recording the fifth fastest time in history.
“Being a part of this relay especially always lifts you. Going out with the girls, you always have that extra bit of adrenaline,” McKeon said.
“I actually felt a bit more relaxed going in with the rest of them and seeing the girls last night put up a good heat swim. All six of us are parts of this team. So very exciting.”
Olympic debutant Mollie O’Callaghan and Glasgow 2014 team member Madison Wilson swam in place of McKeon and Cate Campbell in last night’s heat.
The anchor of the relay team was Australian team flag bearer and Commonwealth Games gold medallist Cate Campbell, who was estastic to kick start her Games campaign with gold.
“I could not be prouder of these girls. It has been a tough ask for everyone to get here and to come away with the win and a world record,” Campbell said.
“You honestly couldn’t have asked for anything better.”
The relay capped the evening for the Australians which began with Brendon Smith capturing the bronze medal in the Men’s 400m Individual Medley event.
The Olympic debutant headed into the final as the top qualifier, however spent most of the race towards the rear of the field before a strong freestyle leg powered him home and surged him into the medals.
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Completing the full set of medals was two-time Commonwealth Games medallist Jack McLoughlin claiming silver in the Men’s 400m Freestyle final.
McLoughlin was joined by fellow Gold Coast teammate Elijah Winnington in the final with both swimmers recording times among the world’s best in the lead-up to the Games.
But it was McLoughlin who led the race after 350m, until 18-year-old Tunisian swimmer Ahmed Hafnaoui stunned the field from lane 8 to win the gold medal, with the Aussie holding on for silver in the 400m event.
He will compete in the 800m and 1500m events later in the meet.
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With thanks 7 Olympics and Swimming Australia.
