Cook Helps Australian 4x200m Freestyle Relay Team to Final

Swimming: 4x200m Freestyle Relay

Athlete: Tamsin Cook

Venue: Olympic Aquatics Stadium

17 year old Olympic debutant Tamsin Cook has helped the Australian women’s 4x200m freestyle team qualify for the final after the Aussies won their heat in a time of 7:49.24.

Leah Neale led the Australian quartet of Bronte Barratt, Cook and Jessica Ashwood and swam a personal best of 1:57.06 in handing over to Barratt.

Barratt who emotionally set a pb in finishing fifth in the final of the women’s 200m free on Day 4 maintained Australia’s advantage, handing over to Cook after swimming a 1:56.85 split.

Dubbed the baby of the team, on account of being the youngest member of the 2016 Dolphins team, Tamsin Cook showed all of her pace and potential in extending Australia’s lead to handover to follow distance swimmer Jessica Ashwood, touching home in 1:57.35.

The Queenslander, more at home in the 400m and 800m like Cook, produced a spirited effort to lead Australia home first in 7:49.24, with her time of 1:57.98 ensuring the Aussies finished well clear of Russia in 7:50.52.

The USA posted the fastest time overall, winning heat two in 7:47:77, clear of Australia and China (7:49.58).

The Australians are expected to make a change for the night final, with Ashwood likely to make way for specialist Emma McKeon, whilst she focuses on the women’s 800m freestyle still to come in her race program.

Having set the second fastest time, the girls have earned a middle lane and given the Aussies a strong chance of competing for a medal.