Women’s 800 Free Relay Prelims Lineups Released; Missy Franklin Goes Second for USA

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Photo Courtesy: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports

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After missing out on the finals of the 200 free, Missy Franklin will return to the pool in the prelims of the women’s 800 free relay this afternoon. Allison Schmitt, the 2008 Olympic gold medalist in the 200 free, will lead off the American squad, followed by Franklin, Melanie Margalis and Cierra Runge. Schmitt already has a silver medal this week in the 400 free relay, and Margalis was fourth in the 200 IM Tuesday night.

This relay has only been contested at five previous Olympics, but the Americans have won four of the five. Their only loss came in 2008, when a squad that included Schmitt settled for bronze behind Australia and China. The Americans will once again be favored in tonight’s finals when Katie Ledecky and Leah Smith join the squad.

Australia will rest 200 free bronze medalist Emma McKeon in prelims, but 2012 bronze medalist and three-time Olympian Bronte Barratt will swim the second leg for them in the first heat. Also in that heat, Italy’s Federica Pellegrini and Sweden’s Sarah Sjostrom will anchor in adjacent lanes.

Notable leadoff swimmers in heat two include Siobhan-Marie O’Connor for Great Britain, Coralie Balmy for France and Melania Costa Schmid for Spain.

View the full start list here.

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Curious

7 years ago

So is it Missy or Allison that is leading off? Headline says Missy, article says Allison….