PARIS, July 29 (Xinhua) — Mollie O’Callaghan earned Australia’s third swimming gold medal of the Paris Olympics by winning the women’s 200m freestyle final on Monday.
O’Callaghan finished in an Olympic record time of one minute 53.27 seconds, more than half a second faster than her compatriot and defending champion Ariarne Titmus, who took silver.
Hong Kong China’s Siobhan Bernadette Haughey, a silver medalist in this event at the Tokyo Games, claimed bronze in 1:54.55.
The result gave Australia its fifth gold medal at the Paris Games, three of which have been in the pool.
“It’s such an honor to be with everyone and compete against Ariarne. She is an absolute gun,” O’Callaghan said of Titmus after the race.
“She races like an absolute beast and it’s an honor to train alongside her and have such a great team around us.”
It marked O’Callaghan’s first individual Olympic gold medal to go with her three relay golds – two at the Tokyo Games and the 4x100m freestyle here on Saturday.
“My expectations are very high. That was an amazing race. I’m always wanting that little bit more,” the 20-year-old said. “I just had to go with coach Dean Boxall and trust him knowing what to do and what’s best.”
