Commonwealth Games, Day Three Finals: Australia Smashes Games Record to Land Stunning Gold Medal in Men’s 800 Freestyle Relay
Kai Taylor, the son of an Aussie legend Hayley Lewis, has unleashed the anchor leg of his life to spearhead Australia to a stunning gold medal in a new Games record time of 7:01.47 in the men’s 4x200m freestyle relay in Glasgow.
It was a barnstorming come-from-behind win by the new-look Dolphins team with Taylor chasing down England’s Max Litchfield in the final leg of a thrilling relay finale at the Tollcross International Swimming Centre.
England took silver in 7:04.98 and Wales the bronze in 7:09.59.
BITE NIGHT: Australia’s triumphant 800m freestyle relay team (L-R) Harrison Turner, Kai Taylor, Sam Short and Ed Sommerville. Photo Courtesy Wade Brennan Photos
England’s triple Olympic relay gold medallist, James Guy, the most experienced relay swimmer in the field, produced a stunning third leg split of 1:44.03 (the 17th fastest split in history)* against Australia’s Ed Somerville to give England a two-metre lead at the final change over.*His fastest split since his 1:43.80pb at the 2017 World’s.
But it was Taylor, the son of a gun, and with Mum Hayley and father Greg screaming their lungs out in the grandstand, who produced the leg of a lifetime – chasing another English star in Max Litchfield to set the stage for a grandstand finish.
Taylor taking off like it was a 100m swim to catch Litchfield and burning off the Englishman to produce another supper split of 1:44.10 (the 18th fastest split in history and the fastest ever Australian)* to keep the 4x200m freestyle relay safely in Australia’s keeping – the 17the victory in the event in Commonwealth Games history – with Australia only losing the event once since 1970 – and that was to England in Melbourne in 2006.
* Kai Taylor’s time faster than Ian Thorpe (1:44.14) 2001 World Championships and (1:44.18) 2004 Athens Olympics.
It was Matt Richards who led off for Wales in 1:45.42 again Australia’s 400m freestyle gold medallist at hese Games, Sam Short who clocked 1:46.08 and 18-year-old English rookie Gabe Shepherd in 1:46.67 – setting the stage for one of the most anticipated relays of the meet – the roar of the packed Tollcross pool reaching fever pitch with the winners of the last two Olympic gold medals in this event for Great Britain spread through the home nations.
ANXIOUS WAIT: Ed Somerville Harrison Turner and Sam Short faced an anxious wait. Photo Courtesy Wade Brennan Photos
Australia, with a whole new team from its recent international outings were up for the challenge with Brisbane relay rookie and world championship butterfly bronze medallist Harrison Turner backing up for his second relay after winning gold in the 4x100m on the opening night, who took over for the second leg – splitting 1:45.95 and giving the Aussies the lead over England – =Turner out-touching Olympic champion Tom Dean who split 1:45.63.
Turner giving Somerville the lead as he took on Guy – the 30-year-old veteran who swims relays in his sleep – and it was Guy who dug deeper than ever who showed the youngster what relay swimming is all about – “don’t spend your pennies too early” – Guy spending up big in a powerhouse final 100m to give England the lead they needed.
Guy handing over to Litchfield and Somerville changing over to Taylor – game on!
But enter the Taylor factor in the changing of the guard for Australia – mum yelling herself hoarse, coach Dean Boxall urging him on from pooldeck and Kai delivering like he’s never delivered before.
Lifting to the roar of the crowd – a cheer squad led by his famous mum who had won the same relay for Australia on her Games debut as a 15-year-old in Auckland 36 years ago.
“Killer”Kai delivering for Australia in spades with the team’s 16th gold medal in a green and gold tsunami in the Glasgow Games pool – and there are still three days to go.
KILLER KAI: This is 21-year-old Kai Taylor who claims victory for Australia in the 800m freestyle relay in the 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games. Photo Courtesy Wade Brennan Photos
HAYLEY’S COMET: This is 15-year-old Brisbane schoolgirl Hayley Lewis who won five gold at the 1990 Commonwealth Games. Photo Courtesy Commonwealth Games Australia.
AAUSTRALIA’S 800m FREESTYLE GOLD in Auckland, 1990: Hayley Lewis (right) with Julie McDonald, Janelle Elford and Jenny McMahon. Photo Courtesy Commonwealth Games Australia.
