Swimming at the 2016 Summer Games: Previous Summer Games
Host City: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Venue(s): Olympic Aquatics Stadium, Barra Olympic Park, Barra da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro
Date Started: August 6, 2016
Date Finished: August 6, 2016
Gold: | ![]() |
Silver: | ![]() |
Bronze: | ![]() |
Australiaâs 4x100 free relay team was likely the heaviest favorite in any womenâs event, led by the Campbell sisters, Bronte and Cate. Coming into Rio, Australia had three of the top four ranked 100 free swimmers, and 4 of the top 10. The United States was expected to take silver. That was exactly how the final turned out, with Australia defeating the USA by 1.24 seconds as Bronte and Cate swam the final two legs, both recording 51.97. Australia recorded 3:30.65, bettering their own world record set at the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
Third place went to Canada, which had been considered a longshot for a medal, but they were led by anchor swimmer [Penny Oleksiak], the break-out swimmer of the Rio Olympics. Oleksiak tied [Simone Manuel] for first in the 100 freestyle, upsetting the Campbell sisters, and also won a silver in the 100 butterfly, and another relay bronze in the 4x200 free.