The whole world was astonished to see when Australian girls swam their best and won the gold in the Women’s 4 x 200m Freestyle Relay at the National Aquatics Center in Beijing. The Australians concluded in a time of 7min 44.31sec, and smashed the world record by slicing 5.78 off the earlier best time. Stephanie Rice, the Individual Medley Gold medalist, led the Australian team. Australians followed the French at the first changeover, however, Bronte Barratt then swam a fast second leg to take the Australians to the lead.

 

Kylie Palmer delivered a cutting third leg with a split of 1:55.22, driving Australia ahead of the chasing Chinese who were left fighting the Americans. By the last change, the Australians sliced 4.71 seconds under the world mark. Katie Hoff of America and Pang Jiaying of China chased Australia’s Linda Mackenzie by swimming 1:54 splits. They tried to use up Mackenzie’s lead, but failed to catch her. After keeping second place for most of the relay, China concluded with the silver in an Asian record time of 7:45.93. The USA team, who qualified second at 7:52.43 for finals, succeeded to get the bronze medal in an Americas record of 7:46.33.