Tokyo Olympics 2021: Kyle Chalmers powers Australia to 4x100m freestyle bronze medal as USA wins gold
Even the might of Rio Olympic champion Kyle Chalmers wasn't enough to pull Australia to a gold medal in the men's 4x100m freestyle final, with the superstar hauling his team into third as USA powered to gold.
Swimming the anchor leg, Chalmers entered the water back in sixth position and about a body length out of the medals but he quickly thundered his way into the frame and very nearly won Australia a silver medal with the fastest swim of the race and the fifth fastest 100m freestyle relay leg in history, with his split timed at 46.44.
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Australia had to settle for bronze, with Chalmers' teammates Matthew Temple, Zac Incerti and Alexander Graham all giving a good account of themselves.
Matthew Temple, Zac Incerti, Alexander Graham and Kyle Chalmers of Team Australia pose with the bronze medal for the Men's 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay Final on day three of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Tokyo Aquatics Centre on July 26, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) Getty
Italy held on for the silver medal after pushing the heavily favoured USA all the way.
The US won in 3:08.97, the third-fastest time in history. Italy took the silver in 3:10.11, with Australia finishing in a time of 3:10.22.
While their women's counterparts delivered gold, the men's 4x100m relay team was low on star power, save for Chalmers who looks set to battle American champion Caeleb Dressel for gold in the individual event.
Bowen Becker, Blake Pieroni and Caeleb Dressel of Team United States celebrate after winning the gold medal in the Men's 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay Final on day three of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Tokyo Aquatics Centre on July 26, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Davis Ramos/Getty Images) Getty
Swimming the first leg, Dressel, who is renowned for his lightning starts and incredible turns, gave the heavy favourites a huge lead in the opening 50 metres and despite some brave resistance from the Italians the USA never looked in serious danger of losing their grip of the gold from that point on.
Dressel was half a body length in front of the world record line at the first turn but faded in the last 25m of his swim, setting the stage for Chalmers to give his reply in a blistering anchor leg.
Dressel swam the first leg in 47.26. Blake Pieroni and Bowe Becker kept the Americans out front before Zach Apple turned in an anchor leg of 46.69 to leave no doubt at the end.
- with AP
