Just when the whole nation needed a lift, our golden girls of the pool delivered with a spectacular win in the 4x100m freestyle final at the Tokyo Olympics.
The team of Bronte Campbell, Meg Harris, Emma McKeon and Cate Campbell not only took Australia’s first gold medal of the Games, but also set a new world record, smashing the old record the Australian women set at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
It is the third time in a row Australia has won the event at the Olympics.
Collecting their medals from a tray because of Covid-19 rules, the four Australians presented each other with their prizes in what already ranks as one of the most touching moments of the Tokyo Games.
“We push each other and challenge each other but we do that in a really supportive way,” Cate said.
“There is no malice* and no animosity* towards one another and I think that has just spoken volumes.
“This is the third Olympics in a row that Australia has won this event and that in itself really needs to be celebrated. To do that for 13 years in a row is incredible.”
Cate, Bronte and McKeon were on the team that won gold at the 2016 Rio Games but Cate is the only member who was also part of the team that won in London in 2012, so joins legends Dawn Fraser and Libby Trickett as the only Australian swimmers to win gold medals at three Olympics.
Earlier on the second day of competition, Australia won its first medal of the Tokyo Olympic Games, when Brendon Smith stormed home to win bronze in the men’s 400m individual medley*.
The 21-year-old pulled out a heroic final freestyle leg to mow down the field and touch the wall third. It was an incredible comeback after he found himself in the last couple of places with 100m to go.
“Unbelievable. I can’t believe it,” Smith told Chanel Seven after the race. “Twelve months ago when the Games were cancelled or postponed, I thought (it would) give me another opportunity, another year to better my preparation.
“To improve that much and to be able to get on the podium* is incredible.”
Our second medal came when Jack McLoughlin collected silver in the men’s 400m freestyle final, just missing out on gold by 0.16 of a second.
But the day belonged to the golden girls of the pool, the Campbell sisters, McKeon and Harris. They were red-hot favourites to win gold – but their swim still blew the world away.
The team became the first to break the 3min 30sec barrier with a time of 3min 29.69sec.
They were three seconds clear of their nearest rivals and smashed their own record from 2018 by half a second.
It might have been by the last time the Campbell sisters swam together and, if so, would be the perfect way for them to sign off.
“I know these girls are like my family and we’ve all grown up together but Cate is literally my family so to stand up with my sister is pretty is incredible,” Bronte said.
“Every single career has a journey you go on, and for us being in the relay has always been a high point and we’ve always really loved it.”
Two other swimmers, Mollie O’Callaghan and Madi Wilson, teamed up with Bronte Campbell and Harris in the heat of the 4x100m freestyle and posted the fastest qualifying time.
Cate Campbell and McKeon replaced O’Callaghan, 17, and Wilson, 27, in the final. But under Olympic rules, anyone who swims in the heats gets the same medals as the finalists.
However, their medals are not presented to them at the official medal ceremony. Instead, heat swimmers get presented with their medals at the end of the competition at a private team ceremony.
“It’s really very special because if you’re in the final you get to present the heat swimmers with their medals. It’s just so nice,” Wilson said.
“We’re all such close friends and we all get around each other and support each other and I know we’re not supposed to give each other a hug, but sometimes we can’t help it.”
GLOSSARY
- malice: wish to harm or upset others
- animosity: strong feeling of dislike
- individual medley: event where each swimmer swims butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke and freestyle
- podium: platform where first, second and third placegetters receive their medals
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QUICK QUIZ
- Name the members of the 4x100m women’s freestyle relay team.
- How many times in a row has Australia won the 4x100m women’s freestyle final at the Olympics?
- Who won Australia’s first medal of the Tokyo Games?
- What medal did they win: gold, silver or bronze?
- When do the heat swimmers from the relay get their medals?
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CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES
1. Performance enhancing outfits and equipment
Draw a sketch of the uniforms and equipment used by competitors in this sport. Label your sketch to point out any features that are designed to help in the sportsperson’s performance. (For example, the uniform may be skin-tight so that it is as aerodynamic as possible.)
Then, draw a design for some new and improved uniforms and equipment for this sport. For the purposes of this activity, imagine that there are no regulations and you are allowed to include any features you like as long as they are not harmful to any competitors.
Time: allow 30 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English; Health and Physical Education; Drama
2. Extension
Write a one-minute sales pitch for your new uniform and equipment design, convincing the team manager to purchase your product for their team.
Time: allow 30 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English; Health and Physical Education; Drama
VCOP ACTIVITY
Walking in their shoes
The Olympians who have headed to Tokyo for the Olympic Games have been training tirelessly to represent Australia. Imagine how they must feel as their dreams of competing in the Olympics are about to come true. It’s time to walk in their shoes and imagine what they must be thinking and feeling as they continue to prepare. Write a descriptive piece recounting your experiences. You may like to include: training in your chosen sport, being selected for the Olympic team, travelling to Tokyo, life in the Olympic village, the moments before, during and after your event.
