Olivia Smoliga Jumpstarts USA to No. 1 Seed in Medley Relay; Regan Smith Expected to Lead off in Final

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World Swimming Championships (Olivia Smoliga)

Gwangju 2019

Day Eight Heats (Men’s 400 Medley Relay)

The balance of the United States was on display in the prelims of the 400 medley relay, and that balance is what will make the U.S. the favorite for the gold medal during the final event of the World Championships. Fueled by Olivia Smoliga (58.79) on the backstroke leg, Team USA clocked 3:55.39 to take the top seed over Australia (3:58.19) by more than two seconds. Smoliga was joined by Melanie Margalis (1:06.40), Katie McLaughlin (57.15) and Mallory Comerford (53.05).

A new team will hit the water at night and fireworks should fly. By using Smoliga in the prelims, the United States opened the door to putting Regan Smith on the backstroke leg. Having already set a world record in the 200 backstroke, Smith is expected to make a run at the world record in the 100 back, which is held by American Kathleen Baker at 58.00. Smith should give way to Lilly King, Kelsi Dahlia and Simone Manuel, with the world record of 3:51.55 within reach. The United States does not have a weak link, the major reason for its favorite status, and has won three of the last four world crowns in the event.

“We all were like let’s do our best and set up the night relay as best as we can,” Smoliga said. “We tried to race fast in the morning like we always do and so I’m happy with that.”

Australia, which has won the first two women’s relays, will get a boost on the end of its relay when Emma McKeon and Cate Campbell come on board, but a weak breaststroke leg will probably prove detrimental for the Aussies. Italy qualified third in 3:58.35, with Canada next at 3:58.63. While Italy has minimal room for improvement, Canada will substitute 100 fly world champion Maggie MacNeil onto the butterfly leg, and will likely put Penny Oleksiak on the anchor leg.

China (3:59.26) and Sweden (3:59.40) qualified fifth and sixth, with the field for the final filled out by Great Britain (3:59.74) and Japan (3:59.87).

Finalists

1. United States 3:55.39
2. Australia 3:58.19
3. Italy 3:58.35
4. Canada 3:58.63
5. China 3:59.26
6. Sweden 3:59.40
7. Great Britain 3:59.74
8. Japan 3:59.87

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