Paris Olympics: Australia wins gold and sets Games record in women’s 4x100m freestyle relay

Australia has won the women’s 4x100m freestyle relay at the Olympic Games, following Ariarne Titmus as the gold medal winner at the Paris Olympics.

The freestyle relay team of Mollie O’Callaghan, Shayna Jack, Emma McKeon and Meg Harris secured Australia’s fourth consecutive Olympic title.

After Titmus’ victory in the women’s 400m freestyle, the relay team set an Olympic record of 3 minutes and 28.92 seconds, beating the United States and China.

The win puts Australia in the lead in the medal table in Paris. The men took silver in the 4x100m relay, while the United States took the title.

At the time of writing, Australia has three golds and two silvers to its name. China is ahead with two golds and one bronze.

Just half an hour before the relay final, Titmus turned the swimming event of the century into a golden personal parade to defend her Olympic title in the 400m freestyle.

The Tasmanian is only the second Australian swimmer to successfully defend her Olympic title.

The legendary Dawn Fraser, watching from the stands at the Paris La Defense Arena on Saturday evening, won gold in the 100-meter freestyle at the 1956, 1960 and 1964 Games.

Australia’s Shayna Jack (facing camera) embraces Meg Harris as Emma McKeon (right) celebrates after their victory gave the country a fourth consecutive Olympic title in the women’s 4x100m freestyle relay.

The women set an Olympic record by leading the race from start to finish early on Sunday morning (Australian time) (pictured from second left: Shayna Jack, Meg Harris and Emma McKeon celebrate their victory)

O’Callaghan (left) and Meg Harris embrace after the Aussies once again dominated the pool – taking the nation to the top of the medal tally

“I can’t believe it’s me,” Titmus said of joining Fraser.

In her highly anticipated final, Titmus defeated her rivals, American legend Katie Ledecky and Canadian teenager Summer McIntosh.

The 23-year-old was successful from start to finish, winning her third Olympic gold medal of her career, following her double in the 200-400m freestyle at the Tokyo Games three years ago.

“I’m the one screwed,” she said.

“But I feel relieved. It’s a different feeling to win it again after the first time.

‘I know what it takes to become an Olympic champion and I know how tough it is to race under these conditions during the Olympic Games.

‘It’s not comparable to anything else: the noise, the atmosphere and the pressure.’

The Tasmanian-born ace clocked 3:57.49 seconds to beat McIntosh (3:58.37) and Ledecky (4:00.86).

From left to right: O’Callaghan, Jack, McKeon and Harris show off their gold medals

The relay team’s victory came hot on the heels of Ariarne Titmus (center) winning gold in the 400-meter freestyle, while Summer McIntosh (left) defeated her rival Katie Ledecky (right).

The trio have held the world record in this event for the past three years.

But Titmus, owner of the current benchmark, never looked in danger of losing, despite the 17-year-old McIntosh issuing the biggest challenge.

When Ledecky quickly lost the pace, the Canadian tried to keep up with Titmus, but the final margin between them – 0.88 seconds – reflected the Australian’s dominance.

Titmus’ compatriot Jamie Perkins (4:04.96) finished last.

Titmus, world record holder in the 200 and 400 meter freestyle, now wants to retain her Olympic title in the shorter distance.

The preliminary rounds and semi-finals of that event are played on Sunday, prior to the final on Monday.

Titmus’ victory followed his compatriot Elijah Winnington’s silver medal in the men’s 400m freestyle, although his teammate Sam Short was fourth before the race.

Germany’s Lukas Maertens (3:41.78) took the gold medal by hitting the wall 0.43 seconds ahead of Winnington.