4 × 100 metres Freestyle Relay, Women

The relay was held before the individual 100m freestyle, and the result accurately foreshadowed what was to happen in that event. Only seven countries competed, but qualifying heats were still needed to remove one team from the competition. This provided the opportunity for the American team to break the world record, which had stood since 1924. Bolstered by the introduction of Eleanor Garatti and Martha Norelius to the team for the final, the USA swam off into the distance and took another large chunk off the world record. The British held off the Dutch for silver, with South Africa touching ahead of Germany. The Netherlands were later disqualified for a faulty changeover and South Africa promoted to bronze.