Do substitute swimmers in relays get medals if the stars win medal in final?

Question

A number of teams rest star swimmers or runners in the early rounds ( heats , semi finals) and then bring in the big guns for the finals. My question is do those who have contributed in earlier rounds get a medal if the team wins one in the final? Or is it only the four who race in the final who get medals?

Answer 1

Yes anyone who has competed in an earlier round gets a medal. In one of the relays yesterday an American female swam the first leg but will be replaced for the final. She was not selected for any individual event so her only swim at the Olympics was a relay semi final. If the USA wins the final she goes home with a gold medal.

Answer 2

If you have contributed to the team then you ought to get a medal and rightly so. If they were good enough to get through the rounds, then they deserve it!

Answer 3

You're incorrect.  Whatever lineup starts is the lineup that has to finish.  Those four alone will get medals should they place.