Editorial content for the 2023 World Aquatics Championships is sponsored by FINIS, a longtime partner of Swimming World and leading innovator of suits, goggles and equipment. World Championships, Day One Prelims: Orders Revealed For 400 Freestyle Relays; Ryan Held Saved For Finals The first day of competition at the World Championships in Fukuoka includes finals in the men’s and women’s 400-meter freestyle relays. As always, how the United States will package its relays is a storyline and we have the first look at what the coaching staff is planning with the release of relay orders for the first preliminary session. For their first relay, the American women will go with a prelim squad of Torri Huske, Olivia Smoliga, Maxine Parker and Abbey Weitzeil. Two of those athletes will come back at night and join Kate Douglass and Gretchen Walsh. Douglass has the 200 individual medley this morning. Huske is also racing individually on Day One, as she is entered in the 100 butterfly. Australia, which is the favorite for gold in the 400 freestyle relay, will rely on a prelims order of Shayna Jack, Brianna Throssell, Meg Harris and Madison Wilson. The evening squad will add Emma McKeon and Mollie O’Callaghan. On the men’s side, the American staff opted for a foursome of Chris Guiliano, Destin Lasco, Matt King and Justin Ress. That means Jack Alexy and Ryan Held are being held out for the final. Of note, Australia is holding Kyle Chalmers for the night, while Great Britain is resting Tom Dean.
