Magnussen can’t explain relay failure

By By Steve Larkin | Australian Associated Press – 7 hours ago

Swim star James Magnussen says he can’t explain hot favourite Australia’s failure to win a medal in the 4×100 metres freestyle at the London Olympics.

“Words can’t describe it,” a stunned Magnussen said.

Australia, the reigning world champion in the event, finished fourth in a race the nation had inked in gold.

But France triumphed ahead of the United States with Russia taking the bronze medal in Sunday night’s final.

Magnussen, the world 100m freestyle champion, was perplexed why his opening leg of the relay was slow by his usually peerless standards.

Magnussen clocked 48.03 seconds for his leg, touching second behind the Americans.

“I knew at the turn I was stinging and it was going to be a long second 50, and that is not usually how it feels for me,” Magnussen said.

The lost ground soon increased and swallowed up Magnussen’s teammates Matt Targett, Eamon Sullivan and James Roberts.

Magnussen said he had no pre-race inkling of his sub-par swim.

“I felt like I was going really well into that race,” he said.

“Obviously that is my first big disappointment at international level so I have to regroup.

“I thought I’d be swimming quick tonight.”

Magnussen conceded feeling a heavy weight of expectation to help deliver gold for Australia.

“Of course it is but it’s no excuse, I have swum with it before and I have to swim with it again,” he said.

“I did a 47.3 this morning and it was the easiest swim I have done in months.

“I don’t know, I just couldn’t back up tonight maybe, it just took a bit out of the tank this morning.”

France clocked three minutes 09.93 seconds to win followed by the US (3:10.38) and Russia (3:11.41). Australia finished in 3:11.63.