Finke smashes world record in impressive 1,500m gold win

By Sports Desk August 04, 2024

Bobby Finke shattered the 1,500m freestyle world record on the final day of swimming at the Paris Olympics, successfully defending his gold medal.

The American stayed below the world-record pace throughout the entire race and finished the race in an outstanding 14 minutes 30.67 seconds, beating Chinese swimmer Yang Sun's time of 14:31.02 from London 2012.

His triumph also ensured a 124-year record stayed intact for the United States, continuing their run of having an individual male swimming champion at the Olympic Games.

Italy's Gregorio Paltrinieri finished in second, while race-favourite Daniel Wiffen of Ireland earned a bronze, failing to secure a second gold after winning the 800m freestyle on Tuesday.

The 23-year-old became the first athlete from Team Ireland to win more than one medal in the Games in 28 years, bringing their tally up to six medals, equalling their best-ever haul from 2012.

Meanwhile, in the women's 4x100m relay, Team USA set another world record by winning gold in 3:49.63, breaking the record of 3:50.40 set by the United States at the 2019 World Championships.

The men's 4x100m relay team, however, were aiming to win an 11th-consecutive gold medal in the medley but were beaten to the wall by China, ending a 64-year unbeaten streak in the process.

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