Australia was heavily favored to win the women’s 4×200-meter freestyle relay, but the women of China had other ideas. The Chinese team beat Australia and set a new world record, crushing the previous record by more than a second in 7:40.33.
Australia and China traded the lead a few times in the first 3 legs, staying strong above world record pace. When Katie Ledecky dove in for her anchor leg, the tide turned. As China surged onward toward gold, Ledecky turned it on, powering past Australia to touch second.
All 3 top finishers were under the previous world record of 7:41.50.
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