'I can barely talk': Hayley Lewis overcome by emotion as son, Kai Taylor, wins relay silver
Two-time Olympic medallist Hayley Lewis was overcome with emotion as she watched her son, Kai Taylor, win the silver medal with the men's 4x100m relay team.
The Aussies trailed for much of the first three legs, but Taylor produced a blistering 47.73 third leg swim to set up Kyle Chalmers to power home with a sizzling 46.59 and claim the silver.
"Can we get a welfare check on Hayley Lewis," Nine's Mat Thompson joked as Chalmers touched the wall.
RECAP: All the action from Day 1 of Paris 2024
READ MORE: 'Untouchable' Aussies claim fourth-straight relay gold
READ MORE: Sizzling Titmus dominates rivals for back-to-back gold
Lewis' Dolphins legacy has been carried on by Taylor, her youngest son, who has been climbing the ranks in the swimming world in recent months.
Taylor was called into the team late in the day one program as Aussie selectors opted to alter the heat team and omit William Yang in favour of the 20-year-old prodigy.
"He didn't know if he was going to swim that," an emotional Lewis told Nine.
Hayley Lewis post-race. Nine
Lewis said Taylor called the family during the session break to inform them of his relay elevation and excitement to do his best with the team for the country.
"We're stoked for him. I can barely talk," Lewis said.
"He will be really, really happy with his time. It is looking good for the 4x200m on Tuesday for him.
"Like I said, he didn't know. I'm just happy for him to be racing tonight. Anything else is really a bonus.
"It's just surreal. It's just like watching myself, it's hard to explain.
Watch every moment, every medal of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 live and free on Channel 9 and 9Now. Plus, every event streaming ad free, live and on demand with 4K on Stan Sport.
Silver Medalists (L-R), Jack Cartwright, Flynn Southam, Kai Taylor and Kyle Chalmers of Team Australia. Getty
"We knew he was going to do well for Australia because it's just his thing. Relays seem to be something he can pull together really well."
Teammate Jack Cartwright has yet to confirm if the relay swim was his last for Australia, however, he has ended his meet on night one in stellar fashion.
Lewis revealed she celebrated in the stands with Cartwright's family.
"He was rooming with Jack Cartwright, who was in the team. That's Jack's last swim for Australia, his mum and dad were with us," she said.
"Being a mum it's a real team effort. I'm just so happy for them."
