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Australia sets world record in women’s 4×100 freestyle, wins gold

In advance of the final of the women’s 4×100 meter freestyle relay Katie Ledecky was added to the United States team and entrusted with the task of swimming the anchor lap. But Australia entered the event favored to win gold, and the Aussies accomplished that with a world record time of 3:30.65.

The United States won silver, establishing a new American record with a time of 3:31.89, but they did not have enough to hold off Australia after leading each of the first two legs of the race. Abby Weitzel swam 52.56 in the second leg, and as a result the United States held the lead at the halfway point of the race.