USA Sets New World Record in Mixed 4x100m Medley Relay at Paris Olympics

USA Sets New World Record in Mixed 4x100m Medley Relay at Paris Olympics

In a spectacular finale to the swimming events at the Paris Olympics, the United States team claimed gold in the mixed 4x100m medley relay, setting a new world record of 3:37.43. The dynamic event, which allows teams to select any two men and any two women to swim backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly, and freestyle in any order, kept fans on the edge of their seats with its dramatic twists and turns.

Teams and Strategies

The relay featured a variety of team strategies, with each country selecting their swim order to maximize their strengths. Notably, all eight teams chose to finish with their female swimmers. Defending champions Great Britain faced a challenging start in lane 2, while the USA and Australia, top qualifiers, were positioned in lanes 4 and 5. France, featuring standout swimmer Léon Marchand on the breaststroke, competed from lane 1.

Race Highlights

As the race began, teams employing male backstrokers quickly gained an early advantage. China’s Xu Jiayu led at the 50-meter mark, closely followed by USA’s Ryan Murphy. The two swimmers were neck-and-neck, with Murphy edging slightly ahead as they transitioned to the breaststroke.

The atmosphere was electric as Marchand captivated the crowd, pulling France into a strong third position. Nic Fink of the USA maintained a narrow lead over Qin Haiyang of China at 150 meters, setting the stage for an intense showdown.

The Butterfly Surge

As the race hit its midpoint, China led the pack, with Zhang Yufei and USA’s Gretchen Walsh entering the pool for the butterfly leg. Walsh quickly closed the gap on Zhang, propelling the USA into the lead as Torri Huske dove in for the final freestyle leg against China’s Yang Junxuan.

Record-Breaking Finish

The USA maintained their blistering pace, staying well ahead of the world record split. With 25 meters to go, it became clear that a new world record was within reach. As Huske touched the wall, the USA clinched gold with a remarkable time of 3:37.43, rewriting the record books.

China secured silver, setting an Asian record with a time of 3:37.55, while Australia claimed bronze in 3:38.76, marking an Oceanian record.

A Historic Victory

This victory not only underscored the USA’s dominance in swimming but also highlighted the thrilling unpredictability of the mixed 4x100m medley relay format. The race was a fitting conclusion to an exhilarating night of swimming, leaving fans eager for more Olympic action.

Stay tuned for more updates and coverage as the Paris Olympics continue to showcase incredible athletic feats and unforgettable moments. Just Now News.Press