2020 TOKYO SUMMER OLYMPIC GAMES
- When: Pool swimming: Saturday, July 24 – Sunday, August 1, 2021
- Open Water swimming: Wednesday, August 4 – Thursday, August 5, 2021
- Where: Olympic Aquatics Centre / Tokyo, Japan
- Heats: 7 PM / Semifinals & Finals: 10:30 AM (Local time)
- Full aquatics schedule
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The United States has been a powerhouse over the course of Olympic swimming history on the relays, particularly so on the men’s side.
In the modern history of the Games, other than the boycotted 1980 Olympics in Moscow, the U.S. men have never failed to reach the podium in a relay.
In the men’s 4×200 freestyle, the Americans had won gold in 17 of the 24 Olympic races they’d contested, including the last four in a row, entering the Tokyo Games.
But in the final on Wednesday morning, all of that changed.
The American men failed to reach the podium for the first time at the Olympics, plummeting to fourth in a time of 7:02.43 after a promising start.
Great Britain won gold, as expected, narrowly missing the world record in a time of 6:58.58, while Russia (ROC) claimed silver in 7:01.81 and the Australians swooped in for bronze in 7:01.84.
Kieran Smith had a phenomenal lead-off leg for the Americans, becoming the third-fastest performer in the country’s history in 1:44.74. Drew Kibler (1:45.51) had a solid leg, keeping them close to the lead, but Zach Apple (1:47.31) struggled on his final 50, and they fell down to fifth.
Townley Haas did his best to salvage things, anchoring in 1:44.87, but it ultimately wasn’t enough to reach the podium.
Four-time Olympic medalist Anthony Ervin offered some perspective on the disappointment, referencing the American 400 free relay relay he was on at the 2000 Games that suffered its first loss, suggesting this will be a motivator in future years.
In 2000 we lost the 4×1 for first time in Olympic swimming history. Both @JasonLezak and I were on that relay…and our stories were just beginning to be written. Men on that relay will be back with a vengeance. 🇺🇸 https://t.co/eFxg6fMo08
— Anthony Ervin (@AnthonyErvin) July 28, 2021
The United States has gone from being world-beaters to extremely vulnerable in this relay since the 2016 Games, which not coincidentally, was the final meet of Michael Phelps‘ career.
The American men have finished third in each of the last two World Championships, and were also beaten by Great Britain in 2015, when Phelps was also absent. They did win in 2013 without him, but prior the 2015 loss, the Americans had won the event at every Olympics or World Championships since 2003.
For what it’s worth, Phelps was vocal about the U.S. decision not to include Caeleb Dressel on this relay.
NORTH AMERICA QUICK HITS, DAY 4
- Penny Oleksiak won bronze in the women’s 200 freestyle to earn her sixth career Olympic medal, tying her for the most won by a Canadian all-time at the Olympic Games. It’s also the highest total from a Canadian at the Summer Olympics.
- Katie Ledecky and Erica Sullivan gave the United States a historic 1-2 finish in the inaugural women’s 1500 freestyle Olympic final.
- University of Virginia teammates Alex Walsh and Kate Douglass won silver and bronze medals in the women’s 200 IM, making the U.S. six-for-six in individual medley medals thus far at the Games.
NATIONAL RECORDS BROKEN ON DAY 4
- American: Bobby Finke, men’s 800 freestyle (7:42.72)
NORTH AMERICAN MEDAL TABLE AFTER DAY 4
| TOTAL MEDALS | GOLD | SILVER | BRONZE | |
| USA | 16 | 4 | 5 | 7 |
| Canada | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
Not throwing shade- Zach did his best, but Andrew Seliskar should have been on that relay. He earned it. And they would have won silver.
This kind of reminds me of what happened in 2004 when the USA got 3rd in the 4×100 free relay for the first time.
Before the Olympics, Gary Hall was complaining a bunch about Phelps being put on the 4×100 free relay. At that point, the Phelps hype machine was in full gear, but Phelps hadn’t yet proved himself in the 100 free. And, of course Hall wanted to be on the relay.
In the actual event, Phelp’s split in 2004 was roughly what Hall probably would have gone. Some where in the mid-48s from what I recall.
But, despite this, Hall used the bad result (3rd) as an “I told you so”.
The problem is that he kind of changed his story… Read more »
This is all apart of the cycle of success, as there is no success without failure. Sometimes this happens, and it’s OK. This outcome does not define any of the individuals or coaches who were part of it, and no one is to blame. Anyone who has been part of HIGH LEVEL swimming achievement has your back and knows what’s up.
Good job, Kieran.
Good job, Drew.
Good job, Townley.
Good job, Zach.
So easy to turn from GOAT to scapegoat… Come on, my US friends. About 95% of nations won’t even have a medal in swimming in this Games. US didn’t win a medal once and it’s top news of the day.
Dressel is in for a battle in the 100 free. I am sure he had some input into this decision of not swimming.
To be honest I think US will be more disappointed If Dressel doesn’t win gold for 100 free than this relay result… and the 100 free is closer than many realise. I think right choice not to swim Dressel here.
If I was an American I would be too embarrassed to even be seen at the Olympic village
Melodramatic much?
If I were you I would be too embarrassed to leave my couch
I’d be more embarrassed about making comments like this online than being on the Olympic team for one of the most competitive sporting countries in the world, but that’s just me
Putting Apple on the relay may have also affected his performance in the 100 free semis beforehand (mentally). And why would the coaches put somebody who already had an individual swim the same morning and potentially another final the next day. They could have used Seli or Perioni. Not everybody is Phelps or Dressel. 😡