Max Giuliani wins medal at first Olympics in 4x200m freestyle relay
Hobart’s Max Giuliani has clinched a medal at his first Olympic Games in the 4x200m relay overnight in Paris.
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Tasmanian superfish Max Giuliani has won a medal at his first Olympics with a bronze as part of the men’s 4x200m freestyle relay in Paris.
The Hobart 21-year-old’s bronze medal followed gold and silvers won by fellow
Tasmanian freestyler Ariarne Titmus earlier in the program in Paris.
Gold Coast-based Giuliani swam an opening leg of 1:45.99 before Flynn Southam
(1:45.53) briefly had the Aussies in front. Backing up from his individual 800m, Elijah
Winnington (1:45.19) handed over in third with Tom Neill (1:45.27) holding that position on the anchor leg.
The Australians recorded a time of 7:01.98 to finish 2.55 seconds behind Great Britain who defended their title with the same line-up which won in Tokyo. USA claimed the silver medal, finishing 1.20 seconds clear of the Aussies.
“I just love lifting for the boys,” said Giuliani, who was swimming his fourth 200m in as many days.
“It’s not just your pride on the line, it’s everyone and you’ve really got to get up, put your best foot forward and do what you can. Tonight that was enough for bronze which was epic.
“We’ve got the best team of boys here and we’re all young – 2028’s our year and it’s so epic. I couldn’t be prouder of us, that was such a good job.”
“All of the sacrifices he has made have been worth it,” Giuliani’s mother, Jo Spargo, told the Mercury from Paris following son Max’s bronze medal win.
“We’re in awe of his work ethic and the drive to follow his dreams.
“We feel like we can breathe out now and can’t wait to see what’s next!”
Giuliani, who finished seventh in his maiden Olympic final over the same distance, had sat out the relay heats when Australia finished second, half a second behind Great Britain.
Swapping Hobart Aquatic Club for the Miami Swimming Club when he moved to
Queensland in 2022, Giuliani claimed World Cup medals in Hungary, Greece and
Germany before announcing himself by qualifying for Paris with 200m victory at this
year’s Australian Olympic trials in Brisbane.
Earlier: Max Giuliani’s trademark late surge made for a thrilling finish in the men’s 200m freestyle Olympic final but the Hobart swimmer missed a place on the podium as just 0.85s separated the gold medal winner and Giuliani in seventh place.
The Hobart swimmer, in his first Olympics, clocked 1:45.57 for the 200m final, with Romanian winner David Popovic recording 1:44.72, and the three medallists
separated by just 0.07s.
“Bit disappointed with that result, but I made a final and can’t complain,” Giuliani
said on Tuesday.
Now based on the Gold Coast, Giuliani thanked support from his home state Tasmania as he powered through his heat (first) and semi-final (third) towards qualifying fifth fastest in his first Olympic final.
“Thank you everyone for the support, it’s absolutely unbelievable,” Giuliani said.
“If you believe in yourself and work your arse off, you can do anything and I think I’m proof of that. If you’ve got a dream, just work hard, you can achieve it.”
Giuliani was scheduled to swim in the 4x200m freestyle relay heats on Tuesday night (AEST)
Elsewhere in Olympic competition, Tasmanians Eddie Ockenden and Josh Beltz helped the Kookaburras to a second straight win in men’s field hockey, defeating Ireland 2-1.
Hobart’s Maddison Brooks did not feature as the Hockeyroos maintained a 100
per cent start to the Paris campaign with a 4-0 defeat of Great Britain.
The 19-year-old travelling reserve had played in the 2-1 win over South
Africa after Alice Arnott withdrew with calf soreness.
Hobart-born Alanna Smith top scored as the Opals began their Paris women’s basketball campaign with a shock 75-62 defeat to Nigeria.
The 27-year-old forward, whose father Darren is Tasmania JackJumpers chief operating officer, contributed 15 points, which included three three-pointers,
plus seven rebounds in the Group B encounter at Pierre Mauroy Stadium.
Huon rower Sarah Hawe’s Australian crew finished second in their heat of the
women’s eight.
The 37-year-old began her second Olympic campaign in the seven seat as the
Aussie crew contested the first of two heats at the Vaires-sur-Marnes Nautical
Stadium.
Great Britain led throughout to win in 6:16.20 and qualify directly into the A-final.
Australia finished second in 6:18.61 and will progress into the repechage, which will take place on Thursday at 6.10pm.
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