By Tom Decent
Swimming sensation Emma McKeon produced a stunning come-from-behind final leg in the women’s 4x100m freestyle relay to help her ecstatic teammates pocket an unexpected $37,000 world record bonus on an excellent first evening for Australia at the World Shortcourse Championships in Melbourne.
On a night where Lani Pallister celebrated her maiden world title in the 400m freestyle, McKeon pulled off what might turn out to be the moment of the week that brought back memories of Ian Thorpe mowing down American Gary Hall Jr in a relay at the Sydney 2000 Olympics.
Despite never winning 4x100m freestyle gold at the World Shortcourse Championships, Australia were the odds-on favourites to get the job done, but found themselves in a spot of bother early in the race.
After decent splits from Mollie O’Callaghan (52.19), Madi Wilson (51.28) and Meg Harris (52 seconds), Australia found themselves in third place and trailing by 0.98 seconds when McKeon dived in for a rescue mission with the US well out in front.
The reigning Olympic 100m freestyle champion conjured something mighty special to hit the lead with one lap to go in the 25-metre pool.
With a vociferous home crowd roaring her home, McKeon touched the wall 0.86 seconds ahead of the Americans, who capitulated in the dying stages.
Australia celebrate their gold medal in the women’s 4×100 freestyle relay at the World Shortcourse Championships.Credit:Getty
McKeon’s split of 49.96 seconds was the first time female swimmer has gone sub 50-seconds. It was 0.42 seconds quicker than the previous split record held by Cate Campbell (50.38)
“We couldn’t ask for much more than what Emma did,” Wilson said.
Asked if she thought she could make up a second of ground, McKeon replied: “Yeah, I thought I could.”
“I think the other teams had a really good front-end and we knew we had a good team put together and we just had to believe that we’d get our hand on the wall first.
“To come away with a world record was pretty good. We knew that world record was in reach.”
Obliterating the world record by 1.1 seconds shows the calibre of female freestyle swimmers Australia is blessed with at the moment.
There was extra reason for the team to celebrate, with FINA announcing a $US25,000 ($36,917) bonus for any world record at the meeting.
“We were a bit shocked about that,” said McKeon of the cash, which will be split four ways. “We thought it was a bit of a joke. It’s pretty cool.
Mollie O’Callaghan, Madison Wilson, Meg Harris and Emma McKeon of Australia celebrate winning gold. Credit:Getty
“For the kids in the stands … to be watching us is awesome. I remember being up there watching my idols do what we’re doing now.”
Australia began its World Shortcourse Championships campaign in sensational fashion on night one with two gold medals, a silver and a bronze as Pallister (3:55.04) stormed home to touch the wall ahead of New Zealand’s Erika Fairweather (3:56.00) and America’s Leah Smith (3:59.78).
Late last year, Pallister was adamant she was on the cusp of quitting swimming for good.
The heartbreak of missing out on the Tokyo Olympic Games, an event she’d been obsessed with since she studied Japanese at school, was all too much.
Lani Pallister won her first world title on Tuesday night. Credit:Getty
First there was an eating disorder, followed by heart surgery. Pallister also had to overcome glandular fever, influenza A, influenza B and a skin infection.
“I pretty much gave the sport away at the end of last year,” Pallister said. “I hadn’t trained for close to three months. It was more that I lost my love for the sport. I’d missed four senior teams in a row by one spot. When you’re that close constantly, it breaks your heart one by one. To be in the position I am at the moment … it’s insane.
“It was coming to terms knowing I wasn’t going to make an Olympics that I grew up dreaming of. I was obsessed with Japanese culture when I was in primary school. It was my favourite subject at school to study. I remember coming home one day from primary school and my Mum was like ‘oh I have a way for you to go to Japan’.
“All she said was you have to make the 2020 Olympics. I built it up for so long and then had it taken away from me because I let myself fall into an eating disorder.”
Pallister, who became the third Australian woman to win the event, hugged her emotional mother in the crowd as Australian swimming legend Dawn Fraser watched on.
“Being able to turn to the stands and see my Mum … is something so, so special,” Pallister said. “My whole family is down here, so it’s an incredible opportunity to have a meet like this on home soil.”
Pallister’s chances of victory were boosted significantly on Tuesday morning when world record holder Li Bingjie withdrew from the event. Chinese reports say Li has the flu.
Meanwhile, Australia’s male 4x100m freestyle team picked up a silver medal after finishing 1.88 seconds behind Italy.
Kyle Chalmers’ final split of 44.98 seconds was sharp, but not enough to get the team home.
He will line up against David Popovici on Wednesday in the heats and semi-finals of the 100m freestyle before a tantalising final on Thursday.
Chalmers was quizzed about Ian Thorpe’s bold claim that Popovici was the favourite for the event.
“I don’t read media, so I have no idea,” Chalmers said. “But I guess if you’re the long course world record holder going in, I guess the pressure is on him and I’m happy being the underdog.
“We have really got no idea who could win the race.”
Kaylee McKeown won bronze in the 200m individual medley.
World Swimming Championships on Channel 9 and 9Now from 7.30pm (AEDT) all week.
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