By Stephen J. Thomas
ATHENS, Greece, August 21. THE Australian women's relay team has been decided. World record-holder Leisel Jones, who placed third behind teammate Brooke Hanson in the 100 breastroke, will swim the breastroke leg for the Aussie team. Hanson beat Jones for the silver by just one hundreth of a second with a time of 1:07.15. Jones holds the world record at 1:06.37. She clocked 1:06.78 in the semis, but failed to exceed both marks in finals by turning in a disappointing 1:07.16.
The Aussie relay will field a strong team tonight with: Giaan Rooney (backstroke), Petria Thomas (butterfly), Leisel Jones (breaststroke) and Jodie Henry (freestyle).
This situation is similar to the decision between Michael Phelps and Ian Crocker surrounding the US men's 400 medley relay team. Hanson swam the relay in prelims and will receive a medal tonight if the team is successful.