Men against women in the pool as mixed relay makes Olympic debut

Adam Peaty helped Britain qualify for the final of the new mixed 4x100m medley relay at the Olympics - AFP 

TOKYO (AFP): Olympic swimming took a dive into the unknown on Thursday as men and women competed against each other for the first time in the new 4x100m mixed medley relay in Tokyo.

Britain, led by Adam Peaty, and world record holders China won the two heats of the inaugural competition, which has its final on Saturday and makes its debut in Japan as part of a drive to boost gender equality.

Britain will be the favourites after their time of 3:38.75 minutes, which was more than two seconds ahead of the rest of the field and only a shade outside China’s world record 3:38.41 set last year.

“I haven’t been part of many mixed relays, so it is fun to get out with guys and girls,” said Australia’s Brianna Throssell.

“The lead changes so often and no-one knows each other’s tactics. It was really fun to get out here and do the heat for Australia.”  Swimming is one of seven sports to launch mixed events at this year’s Olympics, with athletics, archery, judo, shooting, table tennis and triathlon also making the move.

The mixed medley will be familiar to elite swimmers, having already appeared at the world championships in 2015, 2017, and 2019.

Australia are the current world champions after Britain won in 2015 before the United States took the title two years later.

Britain, China, America and Australia will be joined in the final by the Netherlands, Italy, the Russian Olympic Committee team and Israel.