Michael Phelps reacts to Team USA's 4x100m freestyle relay team winning the first gold medal of Paris Olympics 2024

Team USA swimmers earned praise from legendary swimmer Michael Phelps for their stunning performances on Day 1 of the Paris Olympics following the opening ceremony. The American swimming team collected three medals in three different events on Day 1.

The team collected one gold, one silver, and a bronze medal on Day 1 in swimming events. The men's 4x100m freestyle relay team, including Caeleb Dressel, Jack Alexy, Hunter Armstrong, and Chris Guiliano, clinched a gold medal after defeating the Australian and Italian teams and clocking a time of 3:09.28.

With this feat, they secured their third consecutive Olympic gold medal in the 4x100m freestyle relay. During the 2016 Rio and 2020 Tokyo Games, the USA men’s squad secured the top places in the event after clocking 3:08.97 and 3:09.92, respectively. Dressel contributed to the team's success in all three victories.

Phelps took to social media to share a picture of all three squads and wrote,

"Proud of you fellas."

Screenshot of Phleps' Instagram story.

Further, he also commended the women's 4x100m freestyle relay team, consisting of Gretchen Walsh, Torri Huske, Kate Douglass, and Simone Manuel, for bagging a silver medal with a time of 3:30.20.

"Congrats," he wrote and mentioned the swimmers.

Screenshot of Phleps' Instagram story.

America's beloved swimmer Katie Ledecky also received praise from the legendary swimmer for bagging her first medal of the 2024 Games edition. Ledecky settled in third place after posting 4:00.86 in the women's 400m freestyle. She was surpassed by Ariarne Titmus and Summer McIntosh.

"Congrats @Katieledecky," he wrote.

Screenshot of Phleps' Instagram story.

"I hope Team USA rings those cowbells" - Michael Phelps opens up the USA - Australia rivalry in swimming

Michael Phelps shared his thoughts on USA-Australia swimming rivalry - Source: Getty

Michael Phelps recently opened up on the fierce and historic rivalry between the USA and Australia in swimming. The American team has dominated the swimming events at the 2016 Rio and 2020 Tokyo Olympics with 33 and 30 medals, respectively.

During an interview with NBC News, Michael Phelps highlighted the intense rivalry in the pool stating:

"When we are in the pool, yes of course, we are competitors, right," Phelps said. "We want nothing more than to beat the person next to us, whoever it might be. But when out of the pool, we are friends. Saying that, I hope Team USA rings those cow bells as loud as they can possibly ring, all meet long."

Following Day 1 of the 2024 Paris Olympics, Australia is leading the swimming medal tally with four medals.