Stephanie Rice declares 4x100m mixed medley relay is a 'token event' after Aussies snatch bronze
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Swimming legend Stephanie Rice has expressed hesitation towards the mixed 4x100m medley race, which saw Australia claim bronze on day eight at Paris 2024.
Rice isn't so sure where she stands on an event that showcases men and women in the pool, competing against each other.
It came after Australia chose to swap out sprint king Kyle Chalmers for Mollie O'Callaghan in the final leg of the race, despite winning the heat comfortably with Chalmers anchoring home.
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"I feel very mixed about it. I feel like it's a token event. In the sense that it feels more fun, than a purist race," she said on Stan Sports' Olympic Daily.
"But I like that swimming is looking at different ways of evolving. That's the same as the men having an 800 metre freestyle and the women having a 1500 metre freestyle."
Bronze Medalists Kaylee McKeown, Joshua Yong, Matthew Temple and Mollie O'Callaghan of Team Australia poses following the Swimming medal ceremony after the Mixed 4x100m Medley Relay Final on day eight of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Paris La Defense Arena on August 03, 2024 in Nanterre, France. (Photo by Adam Pretty/Getty Images) Getty
As for Grant Hackett's thoughts on the newest medley addition to the Olympic Games, he feels like the event adds pressure that swimmers have yet to adjust to.
"It puts a lot of pressure on the swimmers in the program. The sprinters, they have to do these multiple events," he said.
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"If you're doing a 100m freestyle final, then you're doing a 4x100m freestyle relay, then a 4x100m individual medley, then you're doing this new medley.
"I think the program is full now. I hope they don't try and add in any events, because I think enough is enough."
Meantime, Rice has questioned utilising O'Callaghan in the final leg of the race, after the USA snatched gold ahead of Australia and China in second place.
"It was such a strategic race, unlike anything else," Rice said.
"What I thought was really interesting in comparison to the heats, was the switch out of swimmers that we had and the change of order.
"We went with Kyle Chalmers in the heat, whereas we switched out and used Mollie O'Callaghan in the final."
But Rice was quick to heap praise on the swimmers who were forced to compete in the pool twice in the one night.
"A couple of tough backups. Kaylee McKeown doing the 200 medley and getting put in for the 200 metre backstroke. And then (Matt) Temple in the 100 metre butterfly and having to back up and do the relay. Interesting strategy," she said.
China also opted to leave out 100m men's freestyle gold medallist Pan Zhanle from the relay, which left Rice scratching her head.
"Couple of things that were really interesting to me, was China not using Pan (Zhanle) in the 100 (metre) freestyle leg. He won the men's 100 free, broke the world record and they didn't use him in the final," she said.
Team Australia celebrates bronze at the podium after the Swimming - Mixed 4 x 100m Medley Relay Final on day 8 of Paris 2024. China News Service via Getty Ima
Despite Rice's confusion, Hackett was satisfied with Australia's medley team, even though they couldn't secure the gold.
"They put the right team together for the final, but again they were taking a few risks, because you were having two individuals that needed to back up and do dual swims that night," he said.
"It's hard enough doing one, rather than two, so to see us actually get in the medals there and be competitive, I think was an outstanding result."
