Unlike the men’s freestyle relays the United States was expected to have an easy victory in this one. They were the world record holders, defending champions, and had won at the 1986 World Championships and 1987 Pan Pacific meet. David Berkoff put the USA almost a full second ahead of the Soviet Union with his opening backstroke split. Although it was closer on breaststroke, Matt Biondi then opened the lead on the butterfly to almost two seconds, and gave the anchor lead to Chris Jacobs. Jacobs powered home in 48.35, the eighth fastest split ever, with the first seven by Biondi, as the United States won easily in a world record 3:36.93. Canada won the race for silver, overtaking the Soviets with about 20 metres left on the final leg, setting a new Commonwealth record of 3:39.28 as the Soviets won bronze in a European record 3:39.96.
This was the final event of swimming in Seoul. Biondi’s gold medal gave him five gold medals in seven events - all three relays and the 50 and 100 freestyles. He would return in Barcelona to win two more relay golds, finishing his Olympic career with seven golds and 10 Olympic medals.
17 окт 2024
