Paris, France, July 27, 2024: The President of World Aquatics, Husain Al-Musallam, had the honour of presenting the prizes after the first race of the Paris 2024 Olympic swimming competition at the Paris La Defense Arena on Saturday night.
The occasion was extra special for the Olympic Council of Asia Director General as an Asian swimmer was involved – bronze medallist Kim Woo-min of Korea, who had finished third in the men’s 400m freestyle final.
The medals were presented by IOC Member Daina Gudzineviciute of Lithuania – a five-time Olympian in shooting (trap) and Olympic champion at Sydney 2000 - and Captain Husain followed with the Paris memento to each of the three medallists.
Germany’s Lukas Maertens won gold in 3:41.78, ahead of Australia’s Elijah Winnington, who took silver in 3:42.21, 0.43 seconds behind. Korea’s Kim won the bronze with a time of 3:42.50, 0.72 seconds behind the new champion.
Kim admitted he did not know if he had won a medal in a desperate finish.
"I felt like my legs and arms were burning out,” he commented.
“I didn't realise I'd won a medal the moment I touched the pad. I looked at the audience and I saw the Koreans waving the flag and cheering, and I felt, 'Did I make it?' I made it."
Later in the evening, China won bronze in the women’s 4x100m freestyle relay through Yang Junxuan, Cheng Yujie, Hangzhou Asian Games MVP Zhang Yufei and Wu Qingfeng.
The Chinese quartet finished third in an Asian record time of 3:30.30, behind Australia and the United States. Australia won in an Olympic record time of 3:28.92.
There were four gold medals on the opening night of swimming, which runs for nine consecutive nights through to August 4.