Team USA's brutal 117-year first in Olympics swimming shock
For the first time since the early 1900s, Team USA have failed to make the podium in a men's relay race.
The United States have dominated the 4x200m freestyle relay since first winning gold in the event back in 1920, and have won gold at every Games since 2000.
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That streak came to an end on Wednesday however, and Team USA failed to make the podium in a men's relay race for the first time since they were first introduced at the 1904 Games.
The only other time the USA did not appear on the podium was at the 1980 Olympics in Moscow - which the nation boycotted.
Great Britain claimed the gold on Wednesday, ahead of the Russian Olympic Committee and Australia.
Seventeen years after Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte ushered in the latest era of American relay dominance, the search for the next great defining talent will begin.
Kieran Smith gave the U.S. a healthy lead with his opening leg, but by the time Drew Kibler came home at the halfway point, the lead had been lost to the Brits.
For the first time since the Sydney 2000 #Olympics, #TeamUSA does not win #Gold in the Men’s 4x200m Relay. (Thorpedo!)
First time EVER (not counting 1980) the #USA doesn’t make the podium in the event. Crazy streak. #Tokyo2020 #Swimming https://t.co/ArKK6FxGl9— Jeff D #TeamUSA 🇺🇸 (@JeffDLowe) July 28, 2021
BREAKING: Team USA finishes fourth in 4x200 freestyle relay. First time in Olympic history the men have not medaled in a relay. Carmel's Drew Kibler swam second leg and IU grad Zach Apple third. #Tokyo2020
— David Woods (@DavidWoods007) July 28, 2021
Zach Apple briefly regained the lead for the American halfway through the third leg, but Team GB’s Matthew Richards pulled away over the final lap of that leg.
U.S. anchor Townley Haas dove in a full body length behind the leaders, and Britain’s Duncan Scott easily brought gold home.
Phelps retired after 2016. Lochte attempted to qualify for Tokyo, but came up short at trials, and never really came close in the 200 free. The team for Wednesday’s final was strong, and included one member (Apple) of the American team that won the 4x100 relay here on Monday.
But it didn’t have a world-beater like Phelps, or Lochte, or Caeleb Dressel. Turns out greatness is hard to replicate.
Ariarne Titmus secures Australia's equal-best day in Olympics history
Australia's Ariarne Titmus has once again defeated the great Katie Ledecky to win gold in the 200m women's freestyle with an Olympic Record in Tokyo.
After winning the 400m freestyle in thrilling fashion over her fierce American rival, Titmus came into the 200m freestyle as the fastest qualifier.
But, it was Hong Kong's Siobhan Haughey leading for 150m of the race as Ledecky fell behind the leaders.
However, just like she did in the 400m, Titmus showed her determination and powered home to grab gold with an Olympic Record.
Titmus clocked an Olympic Record time of 1:53.50 to finish in front of second place Haughey (1:53.92) and Canadian Penny Oleksiak (1:54.70).
The Aussie said she knew during the race she had Ledecky covered as she surged past her, but was worried about Siobhan who was leading with 50m to go.
“I could see I was trying to move Siobhan down on the third 50. I had no idea where she was on the last lap. I knew I had Katie covered but Siobhan was the person that was there,” Titmus said after the race.
“I felt a little bit ... my legs started to go a bit but I’m happy to get it done.”
The Aussie's remarkable swim was her second gold of the Olympics and Australia's sixth overall.
With Yahoo Sport US/AAP
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