Paris Olympics, Day 1 Prelims: Behind Emma McKeon, Australia Chasing Another 400 Free Relay Title; Sarah Sjostrom Sizzles

Paris Olympics, Day 1 Prelims: Behind Emma McKeon, Australia Marching Toward Fourth Straight Gold in 400 Free Relay

The Australian charge toward a fourth consecutive Olympic title in the women’s 400-meter freestyle relay is looking like a formality, as the Dolphins comfortably notched the top seed for the final – with their big guns sitting out. The quartet of Olivia Wunsch, Bronte Campbell, Meg Harris and Emma McKeon combined for a prelims time of 3:31.57, more than a second clear of the United States, which advanced in the No. 2 position behind a swim of 3:33.29.

McKeon was the headliner for the Aussies, as the 11-time Olympic medalist anchored in 51.94, the fastest split of the session at La Defense Arena in Paris. McKeon is the reigning Olympic champ in the 100 freestyle, but will not defend that crown after placing sixth at the Aussie Trials. Nonetheless, the veteran has brought her A-Game to Paris, which will obviously benefit a relay expected to trounce the field.

After Wunsch opened in 53.94, Campbell checked in with a split of 53.46. At that point, Australia turned up the speed, with Harris going 52.23 to set up McKeon. For the final, Australia will bring in Mollie O’Callaghan, a two-time world champ in the 100 freestyle, and Shayna Jack, a World Champs medalist in the 100 free and well-established star in relay duty. Australia holds the world record at 3:27.96, a time that should come under fire.

World Record: Australia – 3:27.96 (2023)
Olympic Record: Australia – 3:29.69 (2021)
Tokyo Olympic Champion: Australia – 3:29.69

The United States took the second seed behind the quartet of Abbey Weitzeil (53.60), Simone Manuel (53.23), Erika Connolly (53.83) and Kate Douglass (52.63). The evening session will see Gretchen Walsh and Torri Huske added to the lineup, giving them double duty. Walsh and Huske both advanced to the semifinals of the 100 butterfly, which will open the night session.

China (3:34.31) moved through the heats as the third seed, followed by Sweden (3:34.35) in fourth. The Swedish relay received a major boost from Sarah Sjostrom on the second leg, as the veteran split 51.99, a mark that trailed only McKeon from the morning races. Rounding out the field for the final were France (3:35.25), Canada (3:35.29), Great Britain (3:36.13) and Italy (3:36.28).

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