Source: Xinhua
08-10-2008 14:40
Special Report: 2008 Beijing Olympic GamesBEIJING, Aug. 10 (Xinhua) -- The Ducth quartet of Inge Dekker, Ranomi Kromowidjojo, Femke Heemskerk and Marleen Veldhuis lit the pool on fire in Bejing on Sunday and won the gold in the women's 4X100 meters freestyle relay.
The foursome, who set the world record in March this year, embraced each other in jubilation after completing the swim in three minutes 33.76 seconds, shaving almost one second off the previous Olympic record set by Australia in Athens.
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| Members of Netherlandish swimming team celebrate victory after women's 4 x 100m freestyle relay final of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at National Aquatics Center in Beijing, China, August 10, 2008.Netherlandish swimming team won the gold medal in the event.(Xinhua) |
The United States ranked second. Athens champion Australia, after a slow start, settled for the bronze.
The Ducth ranked seventh after the first leg. Ranomi Kromowidjojo bridged the gap and stromed to the second. Femke Heemskerk edged German swimmer Daniela Gotz to the first and Marleen Veldhuis kept the lead to the finish.
"We went in the race as world record holders but knew the Australians and the U.S. were really fast," said Veldhuis, who set the world record with the same three teammates in March this year.
"We just exploded in the water and the results were really good."
Australian veteran Libby Trickett said she was very happy with the bronze. "To come out with the fastest-ever relay (for Australiain the women's 4X100 freestyle relay), is an amazing achievement with four young girls."
