U.S. wins 4X100 freestyle relay gold with stunning new world record

The United States swimmers shattered their own 4X100 freestyle relay world record again in the most intense race so far at the Beijing Olympic Games here on Monday.

American quartet of Michael Phelps, Garrett Weber-Gale, Cullen Jones and Jason Lezak recorded 3:08.24, out-touching the French rivals by 0.08 seconds. The new world record is 3.99 seconds faster than the previous one they set in Sunday's heats.

Australia took the bronze in 3:09.91.

With the presence of President George W. Bush, the Americans had a head-to-head battle with French swimmers, while the cheers of about 17,000 spectators sent the bubble-shaped facility to shivers.

Phelps led off the team to a good start in the first 100 meters, placing second after Australian top sprinter Eamon Sullivan, who set a new world record of 100m in 47.24. But the French swimmers moved up in the water and locked themselves in a two-way game with the Americans in the second and third legs.

American last leg swimmer Lezak charged strongly in the final 50 meters to outstroke French anchor leg Alain Bernard.

"It would have to be in the 'unbelievable' category. And that's the biggest word I know," said American head coach Eddie Reese of Lezak's race.

Phelps, taking his second gold in Beijing, yelled with joy at the poolside. "It was unbelievable," he said after the race, "Jason finished the race better than we could have asked for. At the end, as you could see I was pretty excited. I lost my voice, and I was very emotional."

The Americans hugged each other in rapture after the victory, and lingered besides the pool, seemingly to recover from the ecstasy, while some chanted "USA" in congratulations of the champions.

The upset French swimmers said they had believed in the gold medal until the end.

"I felt that I was in the lead. I knew I had to accelerate but it got harder," said French lead-off Bernard.

"We lost by a few hundredths of a second but life doesn't stop there. The touch made the difference and experience overcame talent," said third-leg swimmer Frederick Bousquet.

菲尔普斯距离自己的奥运8金梦想又近了一步。在11日上午进行的北京奥运会男子4×100米自由泳接力决赛中，美国队以3分8秒24摘取金牌，把自己保持的原世界纪录提高了将近4秒，这也是菲尔普斯本次奥运会上获得的第二枚金牌。

获胜后的菲尔普斯兴奋得手舞足蹈。“简直难以置信！我真是太兴奋，太激动了！”菲尔普斯说，“莱扎克在最后50米表现非凡，超额完成了任务。”

美国队是男子4×100米自由泳接力项目的老牌强队，在自1964年以来的历届奥运会上已经获得了7枚金牌，在北京奥运会前还保持着这个项目世界纪录。但在最近两届奥运会上，美国队都与金牌擦肩而过。

在10日晚进行的预赛中，虽然没有菲尔普斯没有参加，美国队以3分12秒23打破自己保持的男子4×100米自由泳接力世界纪录，成功挺进决赛。

由100米自由泳世界纪录保持者贝尔纳领衔的法国队是墨尔本世锦赛的第三，他们在今年6月的巴黎游泳公开赛上以３分１２秒５４的成绩创造了新的欧洲纪录，这个成绩仅比美国游泳队保持的3分１2秒46的世界纪录慢了0.08秒。

在决赛中，美国队菲尔普斯游第一棒，与法国队一直处于胶着状态。冲刺阶段，法国队还以微弱优势领先，但美国队最后一棒莱扎克最后时刻超越法国队的贝尔纳，帮助美国队摘取金牌，法国队以0.08秒之差获得了银牌。眼见金牌到手的贝尔纳十分伤心，在泳池里不愿意出来。

悉尼奥运会冠军澳大利亚队最终获得一枚铜牌，雅典奥运会“黑马”南非队最终名列第七。