Australian swimming great Hayley Lewis fights back tears as son wins silver medal: ‘I can barely talk’
- Lewis emotional after son Kai Taylor wins relay silver
- Taylor was added to the relay team late, but swam well
- Lewis admitted she could barely speak after the race
Australian swimmer Hayley Lewis was left in tears as she watched her son Kai Taylor win a silver medal in the men’s 4x100m relay.
The Australian team did not get off to the best of starts, but Taylor’s swim saw the team get back into contention in the third race, before Kyle Chalmers finished just behind the United States with a powerful swim.
Taylor was added to the team late in the game, and it turned out to be a masterstroke.
“He didn’t know if he was going to swim that,” Lewis told Nine afterwards.
‘We are thrilled with him. I can barely speak.
“He’ll be really happy with his time. Things are looking good for him in the 4x200m on Tuesday.
“Like I said, he didn’t know. I’m just happy he’s racing tonight. Everything else is a bonus really.
‘It’s just surreal. It’s like I’m looking at myself, it’s hard to explain.
Hayley Lewis was emotional as she watched her son, Kai Taylor, win a silver medal in the men’s 4x100m relay
Kai Taylor (second from right) was a late addition to the squad – and the decision proved to be a masterstroke
“We knew he would do well for Australia because it’s just his thing. Relays seem to be something he can organise really well.”
Chalmers cemented his status as Australia’s top male relay runner with a trademark late surge.
His 100m time of 46.59 seconds was the fastest of the race.
“I love being part of the relay…. I love swimming for the team, that’s my pride and joy and that’s why I swim,” he said.
Chalmers’ teammate Elijah Winnington thanked God for his silver medal in the men’s 400m freestyle.
Three years ago, Winnington was entered as a big favorite for the Tokyo Games, but he eventually dropped to seventh place.
He won a silver medal after swimming the 4x200m relay at the Tokyo Games, but said he couldn’t bear it.
Taylor’s excellent performance put Australia back in contention for the third match
“I’ve never told anyone this, but I never really looked at that medal because I didn’t think I deserved it,” he said.
Winnington called winning silver in Paris “unbelievable”.
“For a few months I didn’t think I would ever be able to swim again,” he said of his great disappointment after Tokyo.
Winnington’s compatriot in Paris and race forerunner, Sam Short, finished fourth.