Ariarne Titmus won her fourth Olympic gold medal by leading Australia to victory in the women's 4x200-metre freestyle relay.
The Tasmanian’s first Olympic relay victory adds to her three individual gold medals from Tokyo and Paris and takes her to seven medals in total.
On a dramatic night at La Defense Arena, individual 200m gold medallist Mollie O’Callaghan established a strong early lead (1:53.52), Lani Pallister (1:55.61) and Brianna Throssell (1:56.00) maintained the advantage before Titmus stormed home with a blistering anchor leg of 1:52.95.
The Australians’ time of 7:38.08 took more than two seconds off the Olympic record and was only just outside their own world record as they won by 2.78 seconds from the US with reigning champions China taking bronze.
“This was a gold medal that we knew could be ours and I’m so proud to do it alongside these girls,” Titmus said.
“Bri and I have been roomies for over three months this year and she’s never stood on the Olympic podium before and it was very special to have her next to me singing the national anthem. It’s pretty fun to do it with your friends and we’re literally living the dream.”
Launceston-born Titmus, 23, who shared post-race selfies with fellow Tasmanian Queen Mary of Denmark, was part of the team which finished with a bronze medal in the same event at the last Olympics.
“I was disappointed with how I swam in Tokyo, I personally felt like I let the team down so this was a bit of a personal vendetta for me to come back and really play my role in the team but also do it for our country.
“I backed myself - I had Mol saying some stern words in my ear behind the blocks. I’m really proud of this group. We’ve wanted this relay.”
A three-time Tasmanian Athlete of the Year, Titmus has already established herself as Australia’s most successful individual Olympic swimmer with her three golds and two silvers surpassing the three golds, one silver and one bronze won by both Ian Thorpe and Shane Gould.
Titmus, who did not swim in the relay heat which the Aussies won comfortably, resumes her rivalry with American superstar Katie Ledecky in the 800m freestyle heats at 7pm on Friday.
“I am still not happy with how I’ve swum the 800 this year; my training hasn’t been reflected in the races that I have put together in the 800,” she said.
“I know Katie is an unbelievable 800 swimmer, the best there’s ever been, and of course she will definitely be a challenge in that race. But I’m going to put my best foot forward. It’s the last event on my program and I really want to leave nothing in the tank.”
Australian Olympic hockey talisman Eddie Ockenden believes the Kookaburras are finding form in Paris.
The reigning World League champions hit their straps with a 5-0 defeat of winless New Zealand.
Field goals from Tom Wickham, Blake Govers and Ky Willott put Australia in control before Govers completed his hat-trick from two last-quarter penalty corners.
This followed tight early wins against Argentina (1-0) and Ireland (2-1) before a 6-2 wake-up call in the 2021 gold medal rematch against reigning champions Belgium.
The reigning silver medallists complete their Pool B fixtures against India at 9.15pm on Friday and Ockenden is confident they can again go deep in the tournament.
“First four games done and a lot of lessons learned,” he said from the Olympic village.
“I believe we are continuing to improve every day. The team is shaping up really well.
“We had a good preparation and start to the tournament. There are a lot of good teams and difficult matches.”
The 37-year-old father-of-three’s fifth Olympic campaign had a dream start when he was named as joint flag-bearer with paddler Jessica Fox for the opening ceremony - just two years after he had the same honour at his fourth Commonwealth Games.
Since then, his focus has been on achieving the one major accolade missing from his record-breaking career and adding a gold medal to the silver he won in Tokyo and bronzes from Beijing and London.
Ockenden will play his 450th game when the Kookaburras play their final pool match, making him the second most capped player in international hockey behind Belgium’s John-John Dohmen who stands on 479.
Coach Colin Batch led the tributes for his team’s milestone man.
“Years ago we thought 200 matches was a lot in international hockey and there are players that have played for the Kookaburras for 10 years and only played 100 games or even less,” he said.
“It's an incredible milestone, 450 games. There's been a lot said about Eddie and I'm not sure if I can add any more but he's been a great warrior for us.
“He still loves playing for the Kookaburras so that says a great deal that his enjoyment for training and playing is still high and that's why he keeps doing it.
“The boys will enjoy it probably more than Eddie because he doesn't like the attention and in fact sometimes, he seems a bit embarrassed about it, but we love him and we love celebrating that milestone for him.
“He will be saying, ‘Guys, don't worry about me. It's all about the result and all about playing well on the day so focus on that’. That's what he will be thinking and probably saying to the group.”
A two-time Tasmanian Athlete of the Year (2010 and 2014), Ockenden was also delighted to see another home-state hockey success story, echoing the words of Kookaburras teammate Josh Beltz about the emergence of fellow Hobartian Maddison Brooks.
Having initially been named as a travelling reserve, the 19-year-old OHA midfielder was called up for the Hockeyroos’ 2-1 win over South Africa, scored in a 3-0 win over the USA and was in the side which drew 3-3 with world no.2 Argentina on Friday morning.
It’s been amazing to see Maddi excel in her role and she has had a huge influence on the games so far,” he said.
“She has the potential and ability to be brilliant at the Olympics here and in the future.”
Earlier this week, 29-year-old Beltz said he was delighted to see Brooks get her opportunity.
“I know she would have been preparing on the chance that the team needed her, and I’m sure she will cherish the occasion,” he said. “She’s obviously extremely talented and has a bright future ahead of her.”
Tasmanian rower Sarah Hawe has qualified for her second straight Olympic women’s eight final.
Having finished second in their heat, the Aussie crew produced a solid effort to finish third in their repechage in which four of the five crews would progress into Saturday’s final.
The Australians were second at 500 metres and third at the halfway mark which they held to the end fishing behind winners USA and Canada and ahead of Italy who all join Great Britain and Romania in the A-final.
Denmark finished a distant fifth and were eliminated.
Australia will row from lane six in the A-final at 6.50pm on Saturday.
A two-time world champion in the women’s four and 2017 Tasmanian athlete of the year, Hawe, 37, of Huon RC, was also part of the Aussie eight crew which finished fifth in the Tokyo Olympic final.
Alanna Smith played her part as the Opals bounced back from opening-round defeat to beat Canada 70-65 at Pierre Mauroy Stadium in Lille.
Coach Sandy Brondello kept the faith with an unchanged starting line-up of Smith, Jade Melbourne, Ezi Magbegor, Steph Talbot and 36-year-old Sami Whitcomb who became the oldest player in Olympic competition to record more than 10 points and 10 assists in a game.
The result extracts some revenge for the Boomers, Gangurrus and women’s Rugby Sevens teams who were all defeated by Canada in the past few days.
Smith had top scored when the Opals began their Paris campaign with a shock 75-62 defeat to Nigeria.
The 27-year-old was born in Hobart, grew up in Melbourne and progressed up to the WNBA where she has played for Phoenix Mercury, Chicago Sky and Minnesota Lynx.
The Opals’ last Pool B match is against host nation France at 5am on Monday.