BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) – Matt Grevers wasn’t sure what was going on. He wasn’t alone.
One of swimming’s newest – and certainly craziest – events was on display Wednesday at the world championships, where the United States set a pair of world records while winning the 4×100 mixed medley relay.
Grevers led things off by swimming the backstroke, giving the Americans a slight lead, but breaststroker Lilly King – competing against seven men, including Britain’s world-record holder Adam Peaty – was only in fifth place when she passed off to teammate Caeleb Dressel.
“When Caeleb was in the water, I had no idea who’s winning the race,” Grevers said. “I don’t know if we’re ahead or behind. I don’t know how it’s all going to balance out, how much of a lead Simone (Manuel, swimming the freestyle anchor) is going to need. It’s just chaos.”
It worked out just fine for the Americans.