Australia wins women's 4X200m freerstyle relay, China second
14/8/2008 17:48
Olympic swimmers staged a breathtaking world-record-breaking show today in
women's 4X200m freestyle relay as four teams, led by Australia, swam under the
world record pace.
Australian swimmer Stephanie Rice led off the race and
finished second after the first leg. But teammate Bronte Barratt caught up and
the team kept the lead ever since, leaving other teams battling for the silver
and bronze.
The Australians won gold in seven minutes, 44.31 seconds,
chopping almost five seconds off the previous world record set by the US team in
2007.
Chinese quartet occupied the second place since the second leg with the
United States following closely behind. The biggest threat came in the third leg
when US swimmer Caroline Burckle bridged the gap to almost a fingertip
difference.
China's anchor Pang Jiaying, who won a bronze in women's 200m
freestyle relay yesterday and was disqualified in 100m freestyle this morning,
widened her lead over US swimmer Kati Hoff and secured the silver in
7:45.93.
"We are quite cofident after yesterday's heats. And Liu (Zige)'s
gold greatly bolstered our morale," Pang said. China's Liu Zige won gold in
women's 200m buttery this morning.
"As people's expectations are going
higher, we need to keep cool and be ourselves. We shouldn't give ourselves to
much pressure," Pang said.
The United States took bronze in
7:46.33.
Xinhua
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