Commonwealth Games, Day Two Finals: Australia Dominates Mixed 400 Free Relay in Games-Record Time
It came as no surprise whatsoever to see Australia dominating the Saturday evening finale at the Commonwealth Games, the mixed 400 freestyle relay. After all, Australia had easily taken care of business in the women’s and men’s relays one day earlier after winning world titles in both events last year. While Mollie O’Callaghan did not participate in this event after winning gold in the 200 free earlier in the night, the Dolphins still had plenty of star talent to deploy.
Flynn Southam went first, one day after blistering a 47.09 leadoff in the men’s relay. Aiming to match or better that time, Southam came in just behind at 47.29, but he still eclipsed the 47.36 that had been the Games record prior to the competition. Next was veteran Kyle Chalmers, who supplied a 47.62 split to stretch Australia’s lead to more than 1.5 seconds.
Shayna Jack, competing at one final Commonwealth Games prior to retirement, went 52.42 on the third leg before Meg Harris anchored in 52.03. The result was a convincing victory, the time of 3:19.36 crushing the Games record of 3:21.12 set by Australia four years ago and coming within a second of the world record (3:18.48) set by the United States last year. All four swimmers earned their second gold medals of the competition, with individual medal chances to come later on.
Behind the Australians, a tight battle developed for the two remaining podium spots. Matt Richards put Wales in contention with a strong 47.62 leadoff leg, but the most balanced effort belonged to England, whose team of Jacob Mills, Jacob Whittle, Freya Anderson and Freya Colbert placed second in 3:23.91. The Welsh team, which also included Dan Jones, Bex Sutton and Theodora Taylor, secured bronze in 3:24.33.
Taylor’s anchor leg of 52.63 denied New Zealand, anchored by Erika Fairweather, by a half-second. Further down in the field was Scotland, with Duncan Scott supplying a 47.66 second leg for the best non-Australian men’s performance in the race.
