Aussie swimming star Mollie O’Callaghan recently showcased a heartwarming moment by draping her new gold medal around her teammate Jamie Perkins’ neck, celebrating her friend’s contributions to their success.
O’Callaghan hung the Olympic gold medal from the 4x200m freestyle relay—her third from the Paris Games and fifth overall—around Perkins’ neck, followed by a heartfelt hug at the pool’s edge.
Though Perkins was part of the quartet in the qualifying heats on Thursday that advanced Australia to the finals, she and Shayna Jack were replaced by O’Callaghan and Ariarne Titmus for the medal race on Friday.
The team comprised of O’Callaghan, Titmus, Lani Pallister, and Brianna Throssell competed in the final on Friday morning, winning gold while setting a new Olympic record of 7 minutes, 38.08 seconds.
After receiving their medals, the four Australian swimmers rushed to embrace their teammates who had participated in the heats, celebrating this collective achievement with joyous hugs.
In a significant moment, O’Callaghan, who also swam the heats for two relay teams at the Tokyo 2020 but didn’t medal in the finals, placed her gold medal on Perkins. The two shared an emotional embrace.
“This team means everything to me,” O’Callaghan expressed to Nine afterwards. “Being able to swim alongside the other girls and having the two girls who contributed in the heats is incredibly meaningful to me.”
O’Callaghan (left) alongside her finalist teammates Lani Pallister, Brianna Throssell, and Ariarne Titmus celebrating on the podium
Australian swimming star Mollie O’Callaghan hanging her gold medal around Jamie Perkins’ neck
“I’ve envisioned this moment since Tokyo, working hard to be on this team. The support from these girls means everything to me,” O’Callaghan continued. “Jamie is my best training partner and support system. She’s been my roommate throughout this competition and has put in tremendous effort to make it here despite her back injury.”
“Giving her that gold medal is significant because it symbolizes everything she has gone through, and she truly deserves it. We are all part of this team together, all six of us,” she added.
Perkins, who swam in the 4x200m freestyle relay but didn’t compete in the final, was later seen proudly wearing the medal given to her.
While those who swim in heats don’t participate in the podium ceremony at the Olympic Games, they are still awarded the medals their team earns.
The success in the 4x200m freestyle relay is just one highlight from an exceptional event for the Australian women’s swimming team.
Overall, the team has secured five gold medals from the eight won by Australia at the Paris 2024 Games.
