Image source: REUTERS
U.S. women’s swimming team: In a spectacular finish at the Paris Olympics, the United States women’s team shattered their own world record in the 4×100 medley relay, capturing a stunning victory on Sunday.
This triumph not only secured their eighth gold medal but also catapulted them to the top of the swimming medals table, surpassing Australia. The thrilling race took place at the La Defense Arena, where the U.S. quartet clocked an astonishing time of 3 minutes and 49.63 seconds.
The team, composed of Regan Smith, Lilly King, Gretchen Walsh, and Torri Huske, led the race from start to finish. Smith’s strong start set the pace, while King extended their lead with a powerful breaststroke leg. Walsh maintained the momentum, finishing her stint 1.33 seconds ahead of the previous world record, and handed over to Huske, who sealed the victory. This remarkable performance avenged their narrow loss to Australia at the Tokyo Olympics three years ago.
The previous world record of 3:50.40 was set by the U.S. team at the 2019 World Championships in Gwangju, South Korea. In the heats, Katharine Berkoff, Emma Weber, Alex Shackell, and Kate Douglass also contributed to the team’s success.
Australia finished in second place, trailing by 3.48 seconds, while China secured the bronze. For Torri Huske, this gold marked her third of the Games, while Smith and Walsh each earned their second. Lilly King celebrated her first Olympic gold since 2016, where she had previously won two titles in Rio de Janeiro.
Canada finished just off the podium in fourth place, with 17-year-old sensation Summer McIntosh narrowly missing out on her fifth medal of the Games. Reflecting on her experience, McIntosh said, “I’m really happy with my results. It’s been an incredible week, and I’m just trying to soak in this moment.”
This victory not only highlights the dominance of the U.S. women’s swimming team but also sets a new benchmark in the sport, showcasing their relentless pursuit of excellence and their ability to deliver under pressure.
