800 metres Freestyle, Women

Although Shane Gould came into 1972 as the world record holder at every freestyle distance for women, she was felt to be slightly more beatable at the longer distances. At the US Olympic Trials in August in Chicago Jo Harshbarger crushed Gould’s world record for this distance when she recorded 8:53.83. In the final the early leader was Novella Calligaris of Italy, who had won silver in the 400 freestyle. She led through 400 metres, but at 500 American Keena Rothhammer pulled into the lead, just ahead of Calligaris and Gould. Rothhammer would not be headed, increasing the lead for the final six laps to win in world record time, 8:53.68. Gould managed to outswim Calligaris over the final laps and take silver, as the Italian had all she could handle holding off American Ann Simmons, who eventually placed fourth. Harshbarger disappointed, placing sixth in the final.

This ended Gould’s Olympics with three golds, one silver, and one bronze medal. It effectively ended her swimming career as she retired after the Australian Championships in February 1973, at only 16-years-old. At the 1973 World Championships, Calligaris would win this event in world record time with Harshbarger taking silver, while Rothhammer would win a gold in the 200 free and a silver in the 400 free.