1988 Olympic Games - Swimming - Men's 4x100 Meter Freestyle Relay - USA

The United States would normally be favored, and they were the defending champions. But they had been challenged at the 1986 World Championships by the Soviet Union and East Germany, the 1987 European Champions, and at the 1987 Pan Pacifics by Canada and Australia. The USA qualified easily, resting three of their top swimmers for the final. In the final the United States took an early lead on the opening leg swum by Chris Jacobs, but the Soviets closed over the next two legs and as the anchors readied to start, the lead was less than 1/10th second. However Matt Biondi was the American anchor and he quickly settled matters, as he blasted a 47.81 anchor, the third fastest split ever swum, and the US had the gold medal and a world record of 3:16.53. The USSR was almost two seconds back for the silver, followed by East Germany.

[@WRRudy]

Look at Tom Jager's relay start. It is superior to anything ppl are doing today. Remember that we didnt stress underwaters back then. His dive and flutter kick brings him to almost 15m. If this team had better suits and underwaters, it could still be respectable today.

[@johnxiang2155]

Proud American young men👍👍👍

[@jeffreynicol8287]

Crazy to think the CCCP didn't even exist in the next summer Olympics.

[@MattePurple1]

Biondi goes 47.8 in briefs and no cap.

[@djo-dji6018]

John Naber's flirty look at the camera never fails to amuse me.

[@malonecapone2]

Caeleb Dressel is today's Matt Biondi but 4 inches shorter.

[@Ineddiblehulk]

Dressel better flyer and 50 swimmer than Biondi. Biondi superior over 200.

[@AHC63]

All Biondi...all USA. World Record!

[@kittenmeows]

USA! USA! USA!!!

[@JadeJewels]

Man, the Soviet Union & West Germany was still around, I guess I underestimated the year 💀

[@danielgreenfield6727]

And east germany

[@jryan1024]

What were the splits for the US? The Sovets were right there til the end.

[@swimvids6634]

Full results here: www.fina.org/competitions/1083/olympic-games-seoul-1988/results?disciplines=&event=ac656e4d-0730-4bb6-8d22-bfd7753a916f

[@dalebrown7906]

Because their 3 fastest went first

[@tyronebranch2946]

No Aussies in the final???

[@Ineddiblehulk]

Australia was in a bit of a weak period here - Armstrong had a great meet, but not much depth beyond him. Things started to build from 90 onwards tho.

[@matdonkedah7477]

Back.then when men wear speedo

[@TB-yx7pi]

Drugs