“It’s 2:30am at home, so I don’t know who got up. I’ve got an amazing support system behind me and I wouldn’t have been able to do it without each and every one of them.”
Australia’s Shayna Jack, Mollie O’Callaghan, Emma Mckeon and Meg Harris, from left, celebrate after winning the women’s 4×100-metre freestyle relay final.Credit: AP
Harris’ joy was juxtaposed with Jack’s disappointment as the pair left the water. They are close friends.
Jack walked over to congratulate Harris, hugging her, before the emotion overcame her and she burst into tears.
She should not be too hard on herself. Coming last in the final might not have been part of the plan but just being there was significant for Jack, who after serving a two-year drug ban was unable to compete at the Tokyo Olympics.
She has two gold medals from these Games as a member of Australia’s 4x100m freestyle and 4x200m freestyle relay teams, the latter as a heat swimmer.
“I got a bit emotional out there because it’s over,” Jack said. “I’ve worked so hard to be here and I’m just really proud of everything I’ve achieved.
“I just didn’t think I would ever be here, let alone swimming again. I didn’t know if I would fall in love with the sport again. I’m safe to say I am in love with the sport. I love racing and I love being a part of something that’s more than just about me.
“You know, I might get out there and stand behind the blocks by myself, but you know, everybody in the stands is cheering for me, all my support network, my coach, everybody … they’re here for me.
“I call Meg the quiet achiever. She’s so amazing and she’s such a great person. She’s such a great friend. We always get together and talk about these moments. So to see her up there and absolutely dominating the world, I couldn’t be prouder of her.”
Minutes after Australia’s men’s 4x100m medley team finished sixth – China won gold over the US – Australia’s women secured the country’s 18th medal across nine days of action with a second-place finish.
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America’s win was set up by a brilliant opening leg from backstroker Regan Smith in a time of 57.28s, which would have been fast enough to beat Kaylee McKeown in the individual 100m event. McKeown’s relay split of 57.72s needed to be quicker if Australia were to be any chance.
A thrilling finish saw Mollie O’Callaghan haul Australia from fourth at the 300m mark to claim silver.
The US finished the meet with eight golds, one clear of Australia with seven. It was Australia’s equal-third best performance in the Olympics in the pool, on par with the seven golds they won in Athens 2004.
