The United States women’s 4×100-meter freestyle relay team won silver in the final at Paris La Defense Arena on Saturday night. They were not able to beat Australia, who finished with gold in 3:28.92, while the U.S. team finished with a time of 3:30.20. However, they did manage to defeat China by one-tenth of a second, finishing with a time of 3:30.30.
Simone Manuel, the anchor leg for Team USA, made a thrilling finish by touching the wall before China in the final stretch. Kate Douglass, Gretchen Walsh, and Torri Huske, who swam their legs, supported Manuel all the way as she secured the silver medal by beating China.
Australia’s win marks the fourth consecutive Olympics where they have won the gold medal in this event. Emma McKeon, Mollie O’Callaghan, Meg Harris, and Shayna Jack were exceptional in their swims, with McKeon earning her sixth Olympic gold medal and 12th overall medal in her career.
McKeon’s medal count now ties her with American swimmers Jenny Thompson, Dara Torres, and Natalie Coughlin for the most career Olympic medals by a women’s swimmer. Katie Ledecky, a U.S. star, finished third in the 400-meter freestyle earlier in the day, earning her first bronze and 11th career Olympic medal.
Simone Manuel was the only swimmer on the U.S. relay team who had competed in a previous Olympics, having participated in the 2020 Games in the same event. Manuel also won gold in 2016 at the Rio Games in the 100-meter freestyle and 4×100-meter medley relay.
Overall, it was an exciting and competitive race, with each team giving their best performance. The athletes showed determination and sportsmanship, making the event a memorable one for the spectators and fans. The rivalry between the U.S., Australia, and China added to the thrill of the competition, showcasing the incredible talent and skill of these swimmers on the world stage.