World and Olympic Record: Great Britain 5:52.8 (Belle Moore, Jennie Fletcher, Annie Speirs and Irene Steer) Stockholm, Sweden July 15, 1912
Only three teams entered and all swimmers were assured medals.
But the gold medal had been conceded to the Americans, led by Ethelda Bleibtrey.
The U.S. victory margin of 29.2 seconds makes this one of the most lopsided victories in Olympic history.