Tokyo Olympics: Australians qualify for two more swimming finals in the pool

For the first time, the Olympics will host a mixed relay in the pool. How will it work? And find out why our rivals are talking tough.

Australia has qualified for two more swimming finals at the Tokyo Olympics as the Dolphins edge closer to matching their all time record of eight gold medals.

With five already in the bank, the Dolphins need three more from the final three days of competition and have given themselves a shot at two after advancing to Saturday’s mixed medley relay and women’s 800m freestyle finals.

Ariarne Titmus rebounded from the disappointment of Australia’s shock third place finish in the 4x200m freestyle relay to qualify sixth fastest in the 800m in 8:18.99, with her teammate Kiah Melverton seventh.

Showing no signs of fatigue, Katie Ledecky set the fastest time as she bids to become the first female to win gold medals in six individual events, from distances covering 200m to 1500m.

“I feel good about where I’m at,” Ledecky said. “I just wanted to get my lane and I’ve got a whole day now tomorrow to rest.”

Australia qualified fourth for the inaugural mixed medley relay, where countries combine two male and two female swimmers, but in any order they want.

Australia went with Isaac Cooper (backstroke), Zac Stubblety-Cook (breaststroke), Brianna Throssell (butterfly) and Bronte Campbell (freestyle) for the heats but are expected to make wholesale changes for the final, bringing in big guns, possibly including Kyle Chalmers, Kaylee McKeown and Emma McKeon.

Zac Stubblety-Cook ensured Australia qualified for the mixed relay final. Picture: Getty Images

Australia won the gold medal at the last world championships but are outsiders this time, mainly because Britain has such a big advantage in the breaststroke leg with Adam Peaty.

"I’ve been racing with these guys for a long time and no other team has got the kind of experience that we do together and with that we get strength," Peaty said.

"If China want to bring it they want to bring it, if America want to bring it they’ll bring it. I just want to have some fun out there - I love a scrap.”

Brit Adam Peaty is talking tough. Picture: Adam Head

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Originally published as Tokyo Olympics: Australians qualify for two more swimming finals in the pool

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