Sports
Paris Olympics: World record in women’s 4×100 medley pulls U.S. ahead of Australia on swimming medal table
Medal table | Olympic schedule | How to watch | Olympic news
PARIS — In a head-to-head battle for swimming supremacy at the 2024 Olympics, the U.S. topped Australia in the women’s 4×100-meter medley relay, and climbed to the top of the meet’s medal table with gold in the very last race.
And they did it in world-record time.
After Bobby Finke’s gold in the men’s 1,500-meter freestyle earlier Sunday, the Americans and Aussies entered the 35th of 35 finals with seven gold medals apiece.
And in that last final, the U.S. foursome of Regan Smith, Lily King, Gretchen Walsh and Torri Huske outraced Australia to reclaim an Olympic title that the Aussies had stolen by 0.13 seconds three years ago in Tokyo.
The Americans won in a world-record time of 3:49.63. Australia took silver (3:53.11), China took bronze (3:53.23).
The American edge this time around was their completeness. The Aussies lacked an elite breaststroker. The U.S. had Olympic medalists in all four strokes, and one-time world-record holders in three. They outpaced Australia and others to win the last of 35 events here at Paris La Défense Arena. And they helped Smith to her first career Olympic gold medal.
Death toll from stampedes at 2 Christmas charity events in Nigeria rises to 32
The controversial decision dissected: Fury vents anger at judges after Usyk defeat
Christmas getaway disruption as some flights cancelled due to high winds
Fallen French football hero Pogba gets an inkling of Corinthian spirit from Brazil
Steph’s message to Schröder proves true in Warriors’ win vs. Wolves
Why USC’s win over UConn is so significant: ‘This is what basketball excellence was’
Mark Cuban uses Elon Musk’s own AI chatbot to shoot down his praise of far-right German party
Ohio State’s blowout win over Tennessee sets up epic Oregon rematch. It’s just a shame it’s happening in the quarterfinals
Jayson Tatum makes history in MVP performance vs. Bulls
