Gone in 0.16 seconds: Australian swimmer Jack McLoughlin can’t hide his devastation after Olympic glory is snatched away from him in the final moments of the men’s 400m freestyle
- Australian swimmer Brendon Smith finished third in 400m Individual Medley
- Smith followed behind American swimmers Jay Litherland and Chase Kalisz
- The ecstatic 21-year-old said he could not believe the final result following race
- Jack McLoughlin won silver after finishing second in the 400m freestyle event
Australian swimmer Jack McLoughlin has missed out on a gold medal by less than one second at the Tokyo Olympics.
A visibly disappointed McLoughlin accepted his silver medal after losing the top going to Tunisia swimmer Ahmed Hafnaoui in the 400m freestyle.
McLoughlin had led most of the race in first place before he was taken over by his opponent in the last 50m.
Hafnaoui recorded 3:43.36 minutes while McLoughlin recorded 3:43.52 minutes.
Australian swimmer Jack McLoughlin has missed out on a gold medal by less than one second at the Tokyo Olympics
McLoughlin led the 400m freestyle in first place before being overtaken by opponent Hafnaoui in the final 50 metres
The Brisbane swimmer said he was still pleased with the silver medal and thanked his family for their support, calling them his ‘whole world’
The swimmer said he was still pleased with a silver medal and thanked his family, calling them his ‘whole world’.
‘Everyone says swimming is an individual sport but it is not,’ he said. ‘I like to think of it as I’m the F1 car and I pilot it and they are my pit crew. They are doing everything to help me out.’
‘It just means the absolute world to me to have them by my side. My parents my family, my beautiful girlfriend and all her family.
‘There are so many people there. It is not just one person here, it is the whole place. They mean the world. I say a huge thank you to everyone who got me here.’
Brendon Smith added to Australia’s Olympic tally after placing third in the 400m Individual Medley.
Smith earned bronze after placing third behind American swimmers Jay Litherland and Chase Kalisz.
An ecstatic Smith said he could not believe the final result and how far he had come from his humble roots in Melbourne.
‘I can’t believe it,’ he told reporters. ‘Twelve months ago when the Games were cancelled or postponed, I thought give me another opportunity, another year to better my preparation from last time.’
Swimmers Brendon Smith (pictured) and Jack McLoughlin have scored the first medals for Australia at the Tokyo Olympics
Smith earned bronze after placing third behind American swimmers Jay Litherland and Chase Kalisz in the 400m Individual Medley
‘So, you know, to improve that much and to be able to get on the podium is incredible.’
The swimmer thanked his mother, father and two sisters for supporting him along the way.
‘Thank you so much for supporting me,’ he said, ‘I can’t believe it.’
Smith began the 400m medley race strong hovering around fourth place before dropping down to seventh.
He made a colossal comeback in the final 100 metres racing back up to third place.
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