China won a surprise victory in the women’s 4x200-meter freestyle relay, setting a world record of 7 minutes 40.33 seconds and beating both the United States, which took silver, and the heavily favored Australians, who settled for bronze.
Australia was a big favorite behind Ariarne Titmus, and came looking to lower the world record of 7:41.50 that it established in 2019. She swam the opening leg, and handed her teammates a spot in second, behind China. Emma McKeon put the Aussies ahead of China midway through the race, but China soon took the spot back.
Titmus had won gold in the individual 200 and 400 freestyles, ahead of Ledecky both times.