FLASH! USA Men’s 4×100 Free Relay Take Down World Record; CR For Jack Alexy On Lead-Off
The USA men’s 4×100 free relay lowered Italy’s WR as the first night of the short-course worlds ended in Budapest with six new global standards having been set.
The quartet were inside the previous standard throughout and came home in 3:01.66 that saw them emulate their female counterparts as they claimed back-to-back WRs.
Jack Alexy set a 100 free championship record of 45.05 on lead-off to take 0.11 from the 45.16 posted by Kyle Chalmers on his way to gold at Melbourne 2022.
He was followed by Luke Hobson (45.18) and Kieran Smith (46.01) before Chris Giuliano dropped an anchor leg of 45.42 to steer the quartet home inside Italy’s 3:02.75 from Melbourne.
Alexy said: “It’s pretty amazing that we swam a world record and even more amazing with the USA flag on my swim cap. I am really fortunate and also happy to be here representing my country.”
Giuliano added: “That was fun. When Coach told me I would anchor, wow, you know that I always love being in that position and hoping to bring it home with the boys, yep it was a great race.”
Italy were second in 3:03.65 with Poland third in 3:04.46.
