Aussie Paralympic 4x100m mixed freestyle relay break world record, but fall short to Italy

A stunning anchor leg from Rowan Crothers gave Australia’s 4x100m mixed freestyle relay silver at the Paralympics, adding another medal to Alex Leary’s collection.

Paralympic swim sensation Alexa Leary has ended her Paris pool party by breaking another world record and adding another medal to her collection, but not quite the one Australia was willing her to get for warming the hearts of the nation.

Leary teamed up with Callum Simpson, Chloe Osborn and Rowan Crothers in the mixed 4x100m mixed freestyle relay.

Together, they smashed the old world record but it didn’t count because they finished runners-up behind a stacked Italian team that went a blink of an eyelid faster to claim the gold.

Winning the silver was still a huge accomplishment for an Australian quartet featuring three first timers.

Against the odds, they nearly pulled off an incredible victory thanks to a blistering anchor leg from Crothers, who dived in with the team in fifth and passed everyone except the last Italian who just hung on.

Gold medallists Team Italy (C), Silver medallists Team Australia (L) and Bronze medallists Team United States (R). (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

“The Italians put up a really good fight. We were up against some world class competition and to come second place and beat the old world record is pretty sensational,” Crothers said.

“It was really amazing to get up and race with these Paralympic rookies. I’ve been on the Australian team for over a decade now and being a member of an Australian relay is such an incredible opportunity.

“And for these guys in their first ever Paralympic relay and the first ever Paralympics to step up and perform so well has made me not only incredibly proud of them, but excited for their future and to see what they can bring to the table going into LA and then potentially even Brissie.”

Leary has been the breakout star in Paris, endearing herself to the Australian public through her incredible battle for survival and bubbly personality.

She almost died from the horrific injuries she'd sustained in a bike crash three years ago. She sustained permanent brain damage and walks with the aid of crutches, but has charmed everyone with her beaming smile and impromptu dance moves, which she broke into just without prompting just before mounting the blocks for her final race.

Leary claimed another medal at the Games. Photo: Jacquelin Magnay

“That’s just always what I do, it just brings out the best in me,” she said. “I have to have music, it just pumps me a little bit more.

“I feel good, I think it was a strong race from all of us and we were under the record so that’s pretty well done to our team.

“It’s the last day as well and we’re all feeling pretty fatigued and stuff, but we just came back at them and I reckon it was a really great team we had to get second. Awesome.”

The Dolphins Paralympic team finished seventh on the swimming medals table in Paris with six golds, the least since Athens (2004), and 27 in total, the lowest haul since 1980, but their legacy was providing the country with countless moments of inspiration.

“It was an amazing way to finish off in Paris,” said 17-year-old Simpson, who also won two golds while his teammate Osborn was rapt with her first Paralympic medal.

“And to do it with these guys is awesome,” she said. “To be part of a relay is something that not many people get to experience so it’s just incredible.”

Originally published as Aussie Paralympic 4x100m mixed freestyle relay break world record, but fall short to Italy