The United States has dominated in the 4x100 medley relay in the history of the Olympics. They were looking to continue that dominance in Rio. The team of Kathleen Baker, Lilly King, Dana Vollmer, and Simone Manuel would go on to win gold as they finished off a stellar week in Rio.
The Main Field
Canada was one of the biggest threats, especially if they kept it close as Penny Oleksiak was a threat in the 100-meter butterfly. They were the second-fastest qualifiers in the heats behind the United States. Chantal Van Landeghem was swimming the freestyle leg for Canada.
Despite Australia's struggles, they still boasted a loaded team with the opening leg of Emily Seebohm kicking it off. Taylor McKeown and Emma McKeon were their two middle legs before Cate Campbell closed it out for them.
Denmark had three notable names as well. Rikke Moller Pedersen swam the breaststroke leg and was followed my Jeanette Ottesen in the butterfly leg. 50-meter freestyle gold medalist Pernille Blume closed it out.
King Has US In A Good Spot Halfway Through
It was a very tight first 50 as they were all bunched up. Baker gave the United States the slight lead over Canada's Kylie Masse and Australia. Mie Nielsen was first through 100, but it was a tight four-way battle at that point with Australia, Canada, and the United States.
Lily King hopped into the pool with Denmark in the lead as the United States dropped to fourth on the first exchange. Baker swam around 59 seconds, doing her job in the opening leg. King was first at the 50 over Denmark and Canada, but Yulia Efimova of Russia was making up some ground in the second 50.
The controversial Russian caught King, something she was unable to do in the 100-meter breaststroke final, to give Russia the lead. However, Russia was not going to factor in the medals as their butterfly and freestyle swimmers were very weak compared to the others.
Vollmer's Fly Gives US The Lead As Manuel Closes It Out
Dana Vollmer hopped into the pool, ready to make her mark in this medley relay to try and give Simone Manuel the biggest lead possible. She easily made up the deficit on Russia and turned it into a three-tenths of a second lead over them, with Denmark well over a second behind.
The Danes picked up the pace still a second behind but pulled ahead of Russia in the final exchange. Vollmer was first, giving the United States a significant lead as Manuel went with a safe start to ensure no disqualification.
The 100-meter free champion pulled into the final turn a second and a half ahead of China and Denmark as Australia were hoping to comeback and avoid yet another disappointment in Rio. Manuel was comfortably ahead but the race was for silver with China, Denmark, Australia, and Canada all vying for two podium spots.
Manuel touched for gold no problem. Australia edged Denmark out for silver by .01 seconds. China, Canada, and Russia just missed out on the podium.