World Championships, Day One Finals: Australian Women Maintain Control of Women’s 400 Freestyle Relay
The women’s 400-meter freestyle relay has been the domain of Australia for some time. Four consecutive Olympic titles. Three straight world championships from 2019-2023. The world record. Nine of the 11-fastest times in history, all produced between 2014-2024.
And in dramatic fashion at the World Championships on Sunday, the event still belongs to the Aussies.
Behind the foursome of Mollie O’Callaghan, Meg Harris, Milla Jansen and Olivia Wunsch, Australia registered a time of 3:30.60 to finish ahead of the United States, which touched the wall in 3:31.04. The Bronze medal went to the Netherlands in 3:33.89.
Heading into the final length, Wunsch trailed the United States’ Torri Huske, but in the closing 15 meters, Wunsch was able to rally and pull ahead to maintain Australia’s dominance in the event.
The United States was dealt a blow less than an hour before the final of the 400 freestyle relay when it was announced that the Team USA coaching staff was removing Gretchen Walsh from the event, and replacing her with Erin Gemmell. Walsh contested the semifinals of the 100 butterfly earlier in the session, but the illness that has ravaged the American roster since training camp in Thailand has apparently affected Walsh.
Huske, too, has dealt with illness in the leadup to the World Champs. The reigning Olympic champion in the 100 butterfly, she withdrew from that event to place her focus on the 400 freestyle relay. Huske initially put the United States in the lead during the front half of her leg, as she split 24.75 going out. Down the stretch, however, Wunsch was able to move ahead. Wunsch split 53.05, with Huske going slightly quicker in 52.88.
The game-changer on the relay proved to be Harris, who handled the second leg for the Aussies. A veteran of international competition, Harris delivered a split of 51.87 to give Australia the lead.
