Former U swimmer Bowe Becker wins gold in 4x100 freestyle relay

Four people hold up gold medals.
(From left) Zach Apple, Blake Pieroni, Bowe Becker and Caeleb Dressel pose after winning the gold medal in the men's 4x100-meter freestyle relay at the Summer Olympics Monday in Tokyo.
Petr David Josek | AP

Caeleb Dressel led off an American victory in the men’s 4x100-meter freestyle relay. Dressel gave the U.S. a lead it never relinquished, swimming the first leg in a blistering 47.26 seconds.

Blake Pieroni and former Gopher Bowe Becker kept the Americans out front before Zach Apple turned in an anchor leg of 46.69 to leave no doubt at the end.

The U.S. won gold in 3 minutes, 08.97 seconds, the third-fastest relay in history. Italy took the silver in 3:10.11, with the bronze going to Australia in 3:10.22.

U.S. men 5th in gymnastics

The team representing the Russian Olympic Committee rode remarkable performances by Artur Dalaloyan and Nikita Nagornyy to edge Japan and China in a taut men's team final on Monday. The victory marked the first Olympic title for the Russians since 1996 in Atlanta.

Great Britain came in fourth. The U.S. team, which included Minnesotan Shane Wiskus, appeared poised to come in fourth before a messy floor exercise in the final rotation, the only real mistake in an otherwise solid meet for the Americans.

Create a More Connected Minnesota

MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.