The first team to walk out was the 8th ranked British team.After their appearance, they attracted a cheer from the audience, and you could see that the audience couldn"t wait for this relay race.
Liam Tanc.o.c.k waved his hand to the audience, his face was relaxed, and you could see that although they didn"t perform well in the preliminaries, he and his teammates remained confident for the finals.
After the British team, Poland, Canada and the other teams appeared one after another. Although their nationalities were different, they all held the same confident look. They were ready to show off their skills in the final.
After the Canadian team, came the Australian team that ranked fifth in the preliminaries. The appearance of the Australians instantly changed the atmosphere of the venue, and the cheers suddenly turned into inverted shouts and sporadic boos. They were destined to be unwelcome in this venue.
The Australian swimmers also looked displeased. As an athlete, it was definitely not a good thing to receive such a welcome ceremony.
Australia was followed by the j.a.panese team who received some applause showing the contrast between the two teams.
The j.a.panese team was followed by the Chinese team. Although their strength was the weakest in the group, although it was the least favored team, their debut attracted explosive cheers.
Being able to reach the final, the team had won the respect of the audience, plus it helped that they were on home ground.
The Chinese team was followed by the German team led by Biedermann, after which was the American team led by Phelps.
Only after the stars of the United States team came on stage could the cheers on the scene be compared with the Chinese team"s debut.
After the swimmers were introduced one after the other, the final preparations before the race began.
The commentators also began to discuss the upcoming race.
"The US team has won 3 gold medals from the previous finals, and the relay has always been theirs traditionally for the taking." The main commentator a.n.a.lyzed.
"Yeah, the US team is very strong but it won"t be that simple to win gold. Although the French team unexpectedly didn"t reach the finals, whether it is the German team led by Biedermann or the j.a.panese team led by Kosuke Kitajima. They all have the strength to contend for gold." The guest commentator retorted.
"True whilst the US team is strong at the b.u.t.terfly and freestyle. If their previous swimmers can"t keep up, it will be difficult for them to win gold." The main commentator nodded in agreement.
"Exactly if for example the other lads in the Chinese team are able to perform well, with Tang Yan"s strength, we could also have a chance at a medal." The guest commentator said with a small smile.
"Yeah, there is still hope. This is our home court. Young people nowadays are full of all sorts of surprises plus even if they can"t get a medal, as long as they place well, it is already a victory for them."
As they finished discussing, the swimmers were ready and taking their places.
The first swimmer for the Chinese team was Xu Jiayu. He held an excited expression, his confidence was back at its peak.
"The race is about to start. The Polish team in the first lane ranked seventh in the preliminaries. In the second lane is the Australian team. The third lane is our Chinese team. In the fourth lane is the US team.... "The main commentator quickly introduced the swimmers and their lanes.
"The Chinese team is between the United States and Australia. This is a challenge for the boys, but it is also an opportunity. If they can keep up, there is hope!" The commentator said quickly.
"On your marks!"
The swimmers all grabbed the handrails and got in position.
"Get set!"
There was a sudden cheer at the scene, and then the audience was silent.
"Buzz!"
With the buzzer, the swimmers all dove into the water, and after a dive, they started to accelerate at the first moment they came out of the water.
"And we are off! The j.a.panese team has taken the lead!
"Followed by Australia, then the United States! The big three are off to a strong start!"
"In fourth place is the Chinese team! Xu Jiayu is showing off strong compet.i.tiveness!"
The cheers of the audience were deafening at this time, cheers for the Chinese team resounded throughout the venue.
After 50 meters, Xu Jiayu still closely followed behind the American swimmer Nick Thoman, maintaining fourth place.
After the 50m turn, the lead of j.a.pan"s Ryosuke Irie was further expanded to half a metre.
The swimmers from the German and Polish teams began to aggressively surge forward from the back of the pack and successively surpa.s.sed Xu Jiayu, pus.h.i.+ng him from fourth to sixth.
But despite being surpa.s.sed, Xu Jiayu was still trying to catch up, putting his all into trying to minimise the gap as much as possible.
"Come on! Xu Jiayu!" Came the cries of the Chinese fans from the stands.
"Come on! Xu Jiayu!" The commentator shouted excitedly at this time. Although he was not optimistic about the Chinese team"s chances before the race, after all it was his home team, he had to show support!
Inspired by the audience, Xu Jiayu made every effort to race forward, he surpa.s.sed both the Polish team and German team and once again reached fourth place.
Xu Jiayu maintained his fourth place position. After touching the wall, he grabbed the handrail to stabilize his body. He coughed violently as he took heavy breaths.
The backstroke was followed by the b.r.e.a.s.t.stroke.
At this time, the j.a.panese team was still the most noticeable. For the b.r.e.a.s.t.stroke, they sent in Kyosuke Kitajima who instantly began to play a strong role, right after entering the water. The j.a.panese team"s lead was expanded from a small lead to a large one.
But at this moment, the scene suddenly burst into cheers.
The b.r.e.a.s.t.stroke was the weakest link of the Chinese team. This had been revealed in the preliminaries, so Li Xiang could be said to be the team"s weakest link.
To say it bluntly, however far he fell behind, the further Tang Yan would have to chase during his turn.
But in fact, Li Xiang in the pool actually maintained fourth place after entering the water, he was even slightly gaining on the Australian team in third.
After a strong contrast between reality and expectations, the audience was emotionally inexpressible.
Even the commentator was excited at this, saying with a trembling voice, "This kid, go on Li Xiang !"