Commonwealth Games, Day One: Dominant Dolphins Girls Win Eighth Straight Gold in Women’s 4x100m freestyle Relay
Australia has continued its domination of the women’s 4x100m freestyle relay in Glasgow tonight, winning an eighth straight gold on a spectacular opening finals session at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games
The all-Queensland team of Meg Harris, Shayna Jack, Alex Perkins and Mollie O’Callaghan took control off the start and were never headed in a relay swimming masterclass.
Harris, a member of Australia’s last two Olympic gold medal teams, gave the team a flying start with a sizzling 53.07, passing over to Jack in the final relay swim of her career. She flew to the fastest split off the night with her 52.64 extending Australia’s lead.
Perkins, who led the qualifiers into the 50m butterfly final earlier in the night, took over in another powerful leg of 52.88 before two-time world champion O’Callaghan powered home in 52.81 as Australia took the gold in 3:31.40.
The Australians finished a massive 4.26 seconds ahead of second-placed England in 3:35.66, with South Africa taking bronze in 3:38.67.
The Aussies delivering another formidable showing by the reigning Olympic and World champions and world record holders.
It was the third straight gold in this event for Jack, who begins the celebration of her retirement from the sport with a gold medal after announcing Glasgow would be the last meet of her career. That career started out at the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast, sharing the podium with golden girls Emma McKeon and the dynamic sisters of speed, Cate and Bronte Campbell.
Four years later Jack joined O’Callaghan, McKeon and Madison Wilson to win her second gold.
O’Callaghan saying: “What a great way to set up the meet..being the first night in the pool…everyone has done so well…in this first finals session…it’s really lifted the spirits…”
With Jack chiming in: “This is absolutely incredible…it was obviously a goal of ours to come out here on night one and win the gold and to see the boys do it too after us is absolutely inspiring at the start of the week and we aim to continue that throughout the week…and create that momentum…
“For me personally it was extra special to be on the podium with these girls..and to say good bye to the 4×100 girls and leave that legacy…”
Harris gave a special shout out to Jenna Forrester praising her efforts in winning the 200 back after bronze in the 400 free.
“What she did to win the bronze in the 40om freestyle and back up to win the 200m backstroke – has been the absolute highlight of the night.”
Australia’s win was its 12th victory and the eighth straight triumph in the relay that was first swum at the inaugural Games in Hamilton, Ontario in 1930.
Such is the depth off the 100m freestyle in Australia that all four heat swimmers Hannah Casey, Brittany Castelluzzo, Inez Miller and Jessica Cole were replaced after the heats, where they qualified the Dlolphins into first place into the final.
With Perkins joining Paris golden girls Harris, Jack and O’Callaghan, taking the place left by the retirement of Olympic gold medal legend Emma McKeon.