Forget the nicknames! Australian men’s 4x100m relay is strictly business
BROKEN, embarrassed, rebuilt and rebranded - now it’s time for the Australian men’s 4x100m relay team to right the wrongs from London 2012.
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BROKEN, embarrassed, rebuilt and rebranded - now it’s time for redemption.
The Australian men’s 4x100m relay team is ready to attack the Rio Olympics confident in their ability to handle the pressure and with the full support of their Dolphins teammates.
It’s a far cry from four years ago when the team, led by James Magnussen and Cameron McEvoy, went into the London Olympics as the Weapons of Mass Destruction but left bruised and unpopular after finishing a disappointing fourth.
Magnussen was the face of that pain four years ago, but as they count down the days until Monday morning’s (AEDT) relay final the dual world champion said the long journey this team has endured since London had galvanised them and a Rio medal would be “just reward” for their resilience.
And importantly, don’t call them the WMD’s ever again. The man formerly known as “The Missile” joked that perhaps “bandage bears” was more apt given the shoulder injuries he and James Roberts have conquered since London.
“We never nicknamed ourselves last time, someone nicknamed us. We would prefer no nicknames,” Magnussen said.
“It would feel like just reward (to win a medal). Personally the slog I’ve had to go through just to be part of this team has been something I haven’t experienced before.
“I think for the three of us who just missed out on a medal in London it would be just a just reward for four years of hard work and staying at the top of what is a pretty difficult event and having a crack at it.”
It was a bitter and agonising result for the Australian team, notably James Magnussen who as world champion failed to deliver as the lead off swimmer.
Magnussen is keen to lead off the relay team again in Rio where he will also be joined by 2012 Olympians Roberts and Cameron McEvoy plus teen rookie Kyle Chalmers.
McEvoy is now the fastest man in the world and although Magnussen won’t get an individual swim in Rio he can exorcise those London demons once and for all with a bold relay showing.
Magnussen’s former coach Brant Best said he was amazed how the young men who featured in that infamous “stilnox six” press conference four years ago had fought back to the top of their games.
“When you saw the utter devastation from those boys just sitting in the massage room on the floor, holding their heads basically in their hands and between their legs and they were broken young men,” Best said.
“To be strong enough to be able to bounce back, it’s a very, very good base of strength to be building back from.
“They say what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger and whilst it hurt a couple of those boys they’re back in there again, they’re battling and they’ve been through stuff some people will never see and have had to bounce back from that and it’s a pretty big deal.”
Best said one of the greatest assets this year’s relay team had over the 2012 outfit was they were “flying under the radar” but also the sheer volume of talent in this Australian team meant the pressure was shared among more athletes.
Four years ago all the focus was on Magnussen and the relay team.
Keen to avoid a repeat, Swimming Australia banned all relay teams from doing any photos or media together in the lead up to Rio.
The unity within the swim team is much stronger and Best believes it will make the relay team feel a greater sense of support when they race on Sunday night.
“All the focus, all the talk, all the attention and all the media was basically on the one team and James as well,” he said.
“Even just for the talk by itself not to be so pointed but to have it as a full team feeling and full team potential achievement will be a big deal for those guys and they will be made to feel more part of the team because the team has many possibilities.
“It is a very good position for those guys and they can fly a lot more under the radar. That is a position Australians revel in to be battling from behind.
“The French are the favourites, the USA always stand up and compete, it’s a good situation for our boys.
“I think particularly with the way things went in London, to be flying in under the radar and be able to have a chance on the night with a good group of boys who are genuinely just good individuals as well and do stuff together.
“I think it’s a good combination for at least a decent swim and a team that can definitely get up and medal.”
Originally published as Forget the nicknames! Australian men’s 4x100m relay is strictly business
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