Katie Ledecky Makes More Olympic History, but Aussies Beat Team USA in 4x200 Relay
PARIS — In a thrilling turn of events at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Katie Ledecky etched her name further into the annals of Olympic history, securing her 13th medal with a silver in the women’s 4x200-meter freestyle relay. This momentous achievement not only solidified her status as the most decorated female Olympic swimmer of all time but also elevated her above Jenny Thompson as the most decorated American female Olympian in history. However, despite Ledecky's extraordinary accomplishments, the U.S. team could not secure the gold, with Australia taking home the top prize in an unforgettable race.
The Australian squad, comprising Mollie O’Callaghan, Lani Pallister, Brianna Throssell, and world record-holder Ariarne Titmus, blistered through the water to clinch the gold medal with an impressive time of 7:38.08, setting a new Olympic record in the process. This victory galvanized the excitement leading into the final three days of swimming competitions, as the rivalry between Team USA and Australia continued to intensify.
Team USA vs. Australia: A Clash of Titans
As the meet progressed, it became evident that Australia was not just performing well—they were dominating. With five gold medals under their belt compared to Team USA's four, the Australians have made a strong statement and left the American swim team reeling, suggesting that a long-standing reign of dominance in Olympic swimming could be at risk.
While Team USA has managed to rack up an impressive total of 20 medals throughout the competitions, the anticipated gold medal expectations have largely gone unmet. Notable disappointments include Ryan Murphy, who earned silver in the 100-meter backstroke but failed to qualify for the finals in the 200-meter event. Bobby Finke, who also brought home silver in the 800-meter freestyle, could not replicate his Tokyo triumph, and the U.S. men's 4x200 relay team fell short against Great Britain.
The women’s events witness a similar pattern. The U.S. 4x100 relay team was bested by the Australians, and Regan Smith settled for silver in both encounters against Kaylee McKeown in their respective backstroke races. Lilly King narrowly missed a medal in the 100 breaststroke, finishing fourth by a mere 0.01 seconds.
Though a number of younger swimmers such as Torri Huske and Nic Fink have exceeded expectations and secured silver or bronze medals, the only golds for Team USA in the swimming division to date have come from Ledecky, Kate Douglass, Huske, and the men’s 4x100 relay team on opening night.
Looking Ahead: A Pivotal Final Weekend
The final weekend of swimming competition promises to hold significant potential for both teams. Key events include:
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Women’s 200 Backstroke: Set for Friday, this anticipated rematch between Regan Smith and Kaylee McKeown could significantly impact the gold medal standings.
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Men’s 50 Free: Featuring Australia’s Cam McEvoy as the favorite and Team USA’s Caeleb Dressel in contention.
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Women’s 200 IM: Also on Saturday, with both McKeown and Douglass expected to perform admirably.
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Women’s 800 Free: Another highlight where Katie Ledecky is favored to reclaim her title, but with Ariarne Titmus poised to give a strong challenge.
With three medley relays also on the horizon, the stakes are high, and so is the anticipation. Historically, the U.S. swimming team has not seen a failure to capture the most gold medals at an Olympics since 1988, when East Germany took the top spot, and their last unexpected loss to a non-doping-s suspected nation was in 1956, when Australia emerged victorious.
As the competition unfolds, both countries are set to battle fiercely for swimming supremacy. With Katie Ledecky continuing to create history and Australia’s swimmers aiming to solidify their emerging dominance, fans can expect a dramatic conclusion to the swimming events at this year’s Olympics. The lingering question remains: will Team USA reclaim their rhythmic harmony in their final races, or will Australia continue to flourish in this intense rivalry? The answer lies in the waves yet to be splashed.