Olympic Relay Overview: Nations In Podium Position As We Head To Paris
This article originally appeared in the 2024 Olympic Preview edition of SwimSwam Magazine, courtesy of author James Sutherland. Subscribe to the SwimSwam Magazine here.
Note that this article was written prior to some major national Olympic Trials meets, including Australia and the United States.
Representing your country in a relay at the Olympics is a point of pride for swimmers, and that patriotism usually comes out in transcendent performances on the biggest stage in the sport.
Heading to Paris, a lot has changed in the relay hierarchy since Tokyo. Below, find a brief breakdown of each relay and who has stood on top of the podium at major meets since the last Olympics.
Men’s 400 Free Relay – Defending Champs: United States
Since Tokyo:
2022 World Champion: United States, 3:09.34
2023 World Champion: Australia, 3:10.16
2024 World Champion: China, 3:11.08
The Americans have newfound depth in the 100 free, led by Jack Alexy and Chris Guiliano, and the return of Caeleb Dressel makes them the frontrunners. But if Australia is within striking distance when Kyle Chalmers dives in on the anchor leg, all bets are off. Italy has consistently been in the hunt in recent years and could surprise.
Men’s 800 Free Relay – Defending Champ: Great Britain
Since Tokyo:
2022 World Champion: United States, 7:00.24
2023 World Champion: Great Britain, 6:59.08
2024 World Champion: China, 7:01.84
The British men have taken over as the team to beat in the 800 free relay since dominating the field in Tokyo, handing the Americans their first Olympic loss in two decades. With their full arsenal intact—Tom Dean, Duncan Scott, Matt Richards and James Guy—it will take something truly special for them to be dethroned. The Americans are deep but are outgunned by the Brits. China and South Korea had an incredible race at the Asian Games last year and should be fighting for bronze alongside Australia.
Men’s 400 Medley Relay – Defending Champ: United States
Since Tokyo:
2022 World Champion: Italy, 3:27.51
2023 World Champion: United States, 3:27.20
2024 World Champion: United States, 3:29.80
The American men broke a super-suited world record en route to gold in Tokyo, and their undefeated run at the Games in the medley relay might’ve been in question in the midst of the Olympic cycle, but not so much anymore. Italy upset them for gold at the 2022 Worlds, and China looked like they might have enough firepower to take them down. But the 2023 World Championships spoke volumes, as the U.S. won by 1.8 seconds and stands to add Caeleb Dressel, who may win the 100 free and fly in Paris. If all of China’s swimmers are at their absolute best, there’s a chance, but it’s slim. The same goes for Italy which has questions on butterfly.
Women’s 400 Free Relay – Defending Champs: Australia
Since Tokyo:
2022 World Champion: Australia, 3:30.95
2023 World Champion: Australia, 3:27.96
2024 World Champion: Netherlands, 3:36.61
When at full strength, Australia has proven to be unbeatable in this event. They’ve won three straight Olympic titles and three straight World Championship gold medals prior to the 2024 edition in Doha. At the 2023 World Championships, the last true best-on-best competition we’ve seen, the Aussies won gold by nearly four seconds, obliterating the world record. Mollie O’Callaghan, Emma McKeon, Shayna Jack and Meg Harris give them unmatched depth, as all are fast enough to make their way to the top of the podium in the individual 100 free in Paris. A fourth straight Olympic gold is a forgone conclusion barring a disqualification.
Women’s 800 Free Relay – Defending Champs: China
Since Tokyo:
2022 World Champion: United States, 7:41.45
2023 World Champion: Australia, 7:37.50
2024 World Champion: China, 7:47.26
One of the best races at the Tokyo Olympics, the women’s 800 free relay projects to be another barnburner in Paris. Australia was the big favorite in 2021 but ended up on the third step of the podium. It’s impossible to deny them as the frontrunners once again, as they’ve got the deadly 1-2 punch in 200 free world record holder Mollie O’Callaghan and defending Olympic champion Ariarne Titmus. The Americans have an ace of their own in Katie Ledecky, who is surrounded by a young core that proved they can perform under pressure at the last two World Championships. China is more of a wildcard, but should be in the race yet again with Yang Junxuan, the 200 free world champion in 2022, leading the way.
Women’s 400 Medley Relay – Defending Champs: Australia
Since Tokyo:
2022 World Champion: United States, 3:53.78
2023 World Champion: United States, 3:52.08
2024 World Champion: Australia, 3:55.98
The United States has no weakness in the women’s medley relay, putting them a cut above Australia, which has struggled to field a competitive breaststroke leg in recent years. The two teams essentially cancel each other out on the other three strokes. Then it comes down to breast, where the Americans boast 100-meter world record holder Lilly King and defending Olympic champion Lydia Jacoby. At the 2023 World Championships, Australia finished 1.29 seconds back of the U.S. and lost more than two seconds on breaststroke. The Canadian team has had the same issue as Australia recently, but had a few breaststrokers making noise early in the season, so they could realistically challenge Australia for silver, especially if Penny Oleksiak is back at her best on the anchor leg.
Mixed 400 Medley Relay – Defending Champs: Great Britain
Since Tokyo:
2022 World Champion: United States, 3:38.79
2023 World Champion: China, 3:38.57
2024 World Champion: United States, 3:40.22
The mixed 400 medley is the toughest relay to predict, as lineup decisions won’t be known until an hour or two before the final. China, the U.S. and Australia have the firepower to fight for gold, and the defending Olympic champions from Great Britain might have something to say about that if Adam Peaty is at his best. The United States is the only country that can say they have a legitimate medal contender in each 100-meter event for both men and women, giving them a leg up. They didn’t get the order right in Tokyo and missed the podium, so we’ll see if they nail it in Paris.
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