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Harris pinches shock silver as Australian women win another relay medal
By Tom Decent
Meg Harris had done it all as a relay swimmer.
Olympic gold. World championship gold. Commonwealth Games gold. World records. The list of achievements goes on.
Harris, the quiet achiever on the Australian swimming team, finally came out of the shadows on Sunday night to win a brilliant silver medal in the women’s 50m freestyle in a personal best time of 23.97 seconds on the final day of competition.
On a night when Australia picked up another medal – silver in the women’s 4x100m medley relay behind the US – and then jumped in the pool to celebrate, Harris’ second place was somewhat of a surprise, considering she shaved 0.29s off her lifetime best in the one-lap dash.
Teammate Shayna Jack was favoured for a medal, but she couldn’t get into the race, finishing a disappointing eighth behind gold medallist and world record holder Sarah Sjoestroem (23.71s).
Harris said she had a dry mouth and her body was shaking before the race.
Meg Harris after her surprise silver medal in the women’s 50m freestyle.Credit: AP
“Getting to celebrate with the girls by my side is like a different feeling. I’m proud of that,” Harris said.
“I got out there with a goal to enjoy myself. It was the most fun race ever. I was shocked for a second [at coming second]. First time under 24, so I can’t be more happy than that.
“It’s 2.30am at home, so I don’t know who got up. I’ve got an amazing support system behind me and I wouldn’t have been able to do it without each and every one of them.”
Australia’s Shayna Jack, Mollie O’Callaghan, Emma McKeon and Meg Harris, from left, celebrate after winning the women’s 4x100-metre freestyle relay final on Saturday July 27.Credit: AP
Harris’ joy was juxtaposed with Jack’s disappointment as the pair left the water. They are close friends.
Jack walked over to congratulate Harris, hugging her, before the emotion overcame her and she burst into tears.
She should not be too hard on herself. Coming last in the final might not have been part of the plan, but just being there was significant for Jack, who after serving a two-year drug ban was unable to compete at the Tokyo Olympics.
She has two gold medals from these Games as a member of Australia’s 4x100m freestyle and 4x200m freestyle relay teams, the latter as a heat swimmer.
“I got a bit emotional out there because it’s over,” Jack said. “I’ve worked so hard to be here and I’m just really proud of everything I’ve achieved.
“I just didn’t think I would ever be here, let alone swimming again. I didn’t know if I would fall in love with the sport again. I’m safe to say I am in love with the sport. I love racing and I love being a part of something that’s more than just about me.
“You know, I might get out there and stand behind the blocks by myself, but you know, everybody in the stands is cheering for me, all my support network, my coach, everybody … they’re here for me.
“I call Meg the quiet achiever. She’s so amazing and she’s such a great person. She’s such a great friend. We always get together and talk about these moments. So to see her up there and absolutely dominating the world, I couldn’t be prouder of her.”
Minutes after Australia’s men’s 4x100m medley team finished sixth – China won gold over the US – Australia’s women secured the country’s 18th medal across nine days of action with a second-place finish.
America’s win was set up by a brilliant opening leg from backstroker Regan Smith in a time of 57.28s, which would have been fast enough to beat Kaylee McKeown in the individual 100m event. McKeown’s relay split of 57.72s needed to be quicker if Australia were to be any chance.
A thrilling finish saw Mollie O’Callaghan haul Australia from fourth at the 300m mark to claim silver.
After the medal ceremony, Australia’s quartet jumped in the pool, fully clothed and with shoes on.
“That jump in the pool, that just tops the meet for me, it was so much fun,” said Emma McKeon, who swam Australia’s butterfly leg. “It was Kaylee’s idea. It definitely hasn’t sunk in. Just really happy.”
The US finished the meet with eight golds, one clear of Australia with seven. It was Australia’s equal-third best Olympic performance in the pool, on par with the seven golds they won in Athens in 2004.