Triple Olympic gold medallist Stephanie Rice has reacted to the “epic” 200 metre women’s freestyle final, which saw an Australian 1-2 finish for the first time in an Olympic final since the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens.

Mollie O’Callaghan edged out fellow Australian Ariarne Titmus, and Rice thought both swimmers “truly executed their best race”.

“I think I had four hours sleep and woke up and was just on fire for the rest of the day, it was epic,” Rice told Mark Levy on Wide World of Sports.

Press PLAY to hear her full reaction (including a preview of the upcoming day in the pool)

Images: Graham Denholm and Sarah Stier/Getty