Unheralded Meg Harris claimed a surprise silver in the women's 50m freestyle at the La Defense Arena on Monday morning (AEST).
And Australia's women's 4x100m medley relay team — Kaylee McKeown, Jenna Strauch, Emma McKeon and Mollie O'Callaghan — also snared a silver in the last event of the meet.
Australia's swim team bagged seven gold, eight silver and three bronze in the Paris pool.
Measured by gold, it's the nation's third-best haul at an Olympic pool behind the nine golds won in Tokyo three years ago and the eight golds at the 1956 Melbourne Games.
By overall total, the Dolphins' 18 medals is also Australia's equal third-best return.
The nation's swim team won 21 medals overall in Tokyo, 20 at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, and also 18 at the Sydney 2000 Games.
In Paris, the United States' swimmers again sit at the head of the medal table with eight golds, 13 silver and seven bronze.
Australia's Dolphins were next-best, followed by France, whose Leon Marchand featured in all four of their gold medals to become the face of the Games.
Harris's Shocking Silver Medal
In the last races at the Paris pool, Harris was stunned to win 50m freestyle silver behind Sweden's world-record holder Saram Sjostrom.
And the women's relayers finished second to further boost the Olympic medal collections of McKeon, McKeown and O'Callaghan.
McKeon remains Australia's most successful Olympian in all sports and departs Paris with an overall haul of six golds, three silvers and five bronze won over three Games.
The Quiet Achiever Shines
Meg Harris had done it all as a relay swimmer.
Olympic gold. World championship gold. Commonwealth Games gold. World records. The list of achievements goes on.
Harris, the quiet achiever on the Australian swimming team, finally came out of the shadows on Sunday night to win a brilliant silver medal in the women’s 50m freestyle in a personal best time of 23.97 seconds on the final day of competition.
On a night when Australia picked up another medal – silver in the women’s 4x100m medley relay behind the US – and then jumped in the pool to celebrate, Harris’ second place was somewhat of a surprise, considering she shaved 0.29s off her lifetime best in the one-lap dash.
Teammate Shayna Jack was favoured for a medal, but she couldn’t get into the race, finishing a disappointing eighth behind gold medallist and world record holder Sarah Sjoestroem (23.71s).
Harris said she had a dry mouth and her body was shaking before the race.
“Getting to celebrate with the girls by my side is like a different feeling. I’m proud of that,” Harris said.
“I got out there with a goal to enjoy myself. It was the most fun race ever. I was shocked for a second [at coming second]. First time under 24, so I can’t be more happy than that.
“It’s 2.30am at home, so I don’t know who got up. I’ve got an amazing support system behind me and I wouldn’t have been able to do it without each and every one of them.”
Jack's Emotional Farewell
Harris’ joy was juxtaposed with Jack’s disappointment as the pair left the water. They are close friends.
Jack walked over to congratulate Harris, hugging her, before the emotion overcame her and she burst into tears.
She should not be too hard on herself. Coming last in the final might not have been part of the plan, but just being there was significant for Jack, who after serving a two-year drug ban was unable to compete at the Tokyo Olympics.
She has two gold medals from these Games as a member of Australia’s 4x100m freestyle and 4x200m freestyle relay teams, the latter as a heat swimmer.
“I got a bit emotional out there because it’s over,” Jack said. “I’ve worked so hard to be here and I’m just really proud of everything I’ve achieved.
“I just didn’t think I would ever be here, let alone swimming again. I didn’t know if I would fall in love with the sport again. I’m safe to say I am in love with the sport. I love racing and I love being a part of something that’s more than just about me.
“You know, I might get out there and stand behind the blocks by myself, but you know, everybody in the stands is cheering for me, all my support network, my coach, everybody … they’re here for me.
“I call Meg the quiet achiever. She’s so amazing and she’s such a great person. She’s such a great friend. We always get together and talk about these moments. So to see her up there and absolutely dominating the world, I couldn’t be prouder of her.”
A Farewell to the Pool with a Splash of Silver
Minutes after Australia’s men’s 4x100m medley team finished sixth – China won gold over the US – Australia’s women secured the country’s 18th medal across nine days of action with a second-place finish.
America’s win was set up by a brilliant opening leg from backstroker Regan Smith in a time of 57.28s, which would have been fast enough to beat Kaylee McKeown in the individual 100m event. McKeown’s relay split of 57.72s needed to be quicker if Australia were to be any chance.
After the medal ceremony, Australia’s quartet jumped in the pool, fully clothed and with shoes on.
“That jump in the pool, that just tops the meet for me, it was so much fun,” said Emma McKeon, who swam Australia’s butterfly leg. “It was Kaylee’s idea. It definitely hasn’t sunk in. Just really happy.”
The US finished the meet with eight golds, one clear of Australia with seven. It was Australia’s equal-third best Olympic performance in the pool, on par with the seven golds they won in Athens in 2004.
The Final Word
The Australian swimming team's performance in Paris is a testament to their dedication, talent, and resilience. Meg Harris's silver medal is a perfect example of how even the quiet achievers can rise to the occasion and achieve extraordinary feats. Their performance in Paris is a legacy they can be proud of, and their commitment to the sport is an inspiration to aspiring athletes across the globe.
