The Dutch women already broke the World Record by 1.3 seconds in the women’s 200 free relay in prelims, going a 1:35.74. They could be even better in finals with a change that will see a total relay reoder, plus Femke Heemskerk taking the spot of Esmee Vemeulen, who was a 25.0 leadoff in prelim.
The Dutch in the morning heats had three swimmers go under 24 seconds. Nobody else in the entire field had even one swimmer go under 24 seconds, and in finals the Dutch women could have all four swimmers to it – meaning they’ll be very, very hard to catch.
The 2nd-seeded French made one change, swapping in Charlotte Bonnet for Marie Wattel (24.62 in prelims). Wattel’s time wasn’t too bad in prelims, so it’s going to take more than Bonnet for them to have a prayer of making up what looks like about three seconds on the Dutch.
The same goes for the Americans – who made two changes. In come Madison Kennedy and Natalie Coughlin and out go Amanda Weir (24.61 in prelims) and Kathleen Baker (24.90), leaving a relay of Madison Kennedy, Abebey Weitzeil, Natalie Coughlin, and Amy Bilquist.
With Bilquist swimming very well in prelims (24.13), this should be a medal-worthy relay for the Americans, whose female sprinters have swum well all meet long.
The Italians (1:38.47) and Danes (1:38.55) will be chasing them in finals, and with one key swap each, there’s still a chnce for either of those squads to wind up on the podium.
