American swimming star Lilly King's spicy reply to question after Aussie Paris brilliance

PARIS: One of the US swimming team's most parochial stars was quick to exalt the Americans when asked what she thought of Australia's phenomenal start to the Olympic Games in the pool.

Australia has won the most swimming events after four days of action, having won four golds courtesy of the Australian women's 4x100m relay team, Ariarne Titmus in the 400m freestyle, Mollie O'Callaghan in the 200m freestyle and Kaylee McKeown in the 100m backstroke.

The US and Italy have won the second-highest number of golds, having secured two victories at the Paris La Defense Arena.

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When US breaststroker Lilly King was asked by this correspondent in the media mixed zone on Thursday morning (AEST) what she thought of Australia's remarkable start, the two-time Olympic gold medallist fired back a stony-faced retort.

"I think the US has had a pretty great start, too," King said bluntly, before giving her take on the long-standing swimming rivalry between the US and Australia.

"We're always going to be rivals, we like to compete against each other and we're the two best swimming nations in the world, so I think rivalry is going to be natural.

"But I think we have the utmost respect for each other, and I'm excited to see everybody doing well."

Moments earlier, King had advanced to the semi-finals of the women's 200m breaststroke, clocking a time of two minutes, 24.91 seconds (2:24.91), the 11th-fastest time of the heats.

King is the world record holder in the women's 100m breaststroke, but the Indiana native fell short of the medals in the two-lap event on the third day of pool competition, missing out by just 0.01 of a second.

In August last year, she lashed out on social media in response to Australian swimming champion Cate Campbell's post-world championships broadside.

"I mean, Australia coming out on top of the world is one thing, but it is just so much sweeter beating America," Campbell said on Nine's Today, basking in glory after Australia topped the Fukuoka medal tally.

"[On] the first night of competition we did not have to hear 'Star-Spangled Banner' ring out through the stadium. I cannot tell you how happy that made me. If I [ever] hear that song again it will be too soon.

"Bring on Paris — that's all I have to say to the US.

"Stop being sore losers."

Commenting on a video of the Campbell interview on X, King shot back.

"Sorry we aren't so uptight we can't cheer for our teammates as they walk out for events," the American wrote.

"See you in Paris."

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King will be joined in the women's 200m breaststroke semi-finals by Australian pair Jenna Strauch and Ella Ramsay.

Strauch posted a heat time of 2:24.38, which ranked her eighth, while Ramsay registered a 2:25.61, making her the 14th-fastest swimmer.

Strauch and Ramsay are buoyed by Australia's brilliant start to the swimming program.

"We've got an amazing female team here and I think we all get around each other and push each other on further," Strauch said.

"It's a huge inspiration to be surrounded by once-in-a-lifetime athletes."

Ramsay described Australia's Paris swimming gold medallists as "great inspirations".

"Looking at them be at the top of their game is something I'll look up to throughout the rest of the meet, and hopefully [I can] learn off them."

The Thursday morning (AEST) session also saw Australia's Abbey Lee Conner and Elizabeth Dekkers progress to the semi-finals of the women's 200m butterfly.

Connor clocked a 2:07.13 to record the third-fastest time of the heats, while Dekkers swam a 2:08.97 to qualify as the eighth-fastest swimmer.