The U.S. is going with a full B team, trusting two swimmers that didn’t make much headway in their events. Hunter Armstrong leads off, followed by Charlie Swanson, Thomas Heilman and Jack Alexy.
The men’s relay will feature a matchup of podium finishers in breaststroke in the second heat. Adam Peaty is in for Great Britain, returning after his COVID-19 absence. He’ll pair with Oliver Morgan, Joe Litchfield and Matt Richards. He’ll be swimming against Nicolo Martinenghi of Italy. The Italians field near a first-choice roster, with Thomas Ceccon out front, Giacomo Carini manning the weak leg of fly and Alessandro Miressi on the end.
In the first heat, the Dutch and Chinese go full bore. Netherlands has Kai Van Westering handing off to Casper Corbeau, Nyls Korstanje and Stan Pijnenburg. China is going with the A team, with Xu Jiayu, Qin Haiyang, Wang Changhao and new 100 free record holder Pan Zhanle.
On the women’s side, it’s B teams for the U.S. and most of the main competitors. Kate Douglass, who will swim the final of the 200 IM, is a bit of a surprise on the anchor leg, though it’s a responsibility she knows well. Both Torri Huske and Gretchen Walsh, who has the 50 free prelims earlier in the session, are held for finals. Joining Douglass in prelims is Katharine Berkoff, Emma Weber and Alex Shackell, the latter coming down from the 200 fly.
