The Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) has congratulated the Australian women’s 4×100 freestyle relay for its continued domination of the event following their world record breaking swim at the Tokyo Olympic Games. The victory, in a time of 3:29:78, beats the previous record set at the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast.
“Winning a third consecutive Olympic gold medal further cements Australia’s status as the dominant country in this event and we congratulate Bronte and Cate Campbell, Emma McKeon and debutant Meg Harris on making Australian sporting history,” Australian Institute of Sport CEO Peter Conde commented “That was an inspiring swim and one that I’m sure will become part of Australian sporting folklore.
Mr Conde also commended Swimming Australia on its preparation for these Games under extremely challenging circumstances, and also congratulated Jack McLoughlin (silver) and Brendon Smith (bronze) on their medals.
“The AIS has a strong partnership with Swimming Australia across a wide range of areas, and as with other national sporting organisations, has worked closely with Swimming to manage the difficulties presented by the COVID pandemic and the postponed Games”. Mr Conde commented. Conde said that the AIS support is provided across a broad spectrum, from high performance funding to applied technology and innovation, people development and wellbeing and direct athlete grants.
“The lead-up to these Games has been anything but easy for our athletes. It has taken extraordinary resilience, adaptability and courage just to make it to Japan and we couldn’t be happier to see the Olympic dream come true for our four 4×100 relay swimmers. We are so very proud of you all.” Mr Conde added.
Conde said that This is the third overall gold for Cate Campbell. All three have come from the 4×100 freestyle relay meaning the Australian Olympic Flag Bearer has now joined Dawn Fraser in the history books as the only Australian swimmers to win a gold medal in the same event at three consecutive Olympic Games. The 4×100 freestyle relay gold brings Australia’s medal tally to three after McLoughlin and Smith collected silver and bronze in the men’s 400m freestyle and men’s 400m individual medley respectively