ROME, (Reuters) – Michael Phelps helped the United States smash the world record and complete a men’s relay clean sweep with victory in the 4×100 medley at the world championships yesterday.
The Olympic champions led from start to finish and triumphed in three minutes 27.28 to shave over two seconds off their mark of 3:29.34 from the Beijing Games.
Germany took silver with 2007 champions Australia winning the bronze medal.
It is Phelps’ fifth gold this week after he helped the U.S. take the 100 and 200 freestyle relays and won an epic clash with Serb rival Milorad Cavic to keep his 100 butterfly title on Saturday, having successfully defended his 200 crown. “For us to end on this note going into next year is a great way to finish,” Phelps told reporters.
“There was so much emotion coming out of yesterday’s race. but nothing is bigger than being in a relay, especially coming and smashing the world record.”
The 24-year-old, who won a record eight gold medals at last year’s Beijing Olympics, now has a career total 22 world championship golds to his name.
Aaron Peirsol, the individual 200 backstroke champion, put the Americans in front in the first leg of the relay and Eric Shanteau kept them there after the breaststroke.
Phelps stretched the lead in the butterfly leg before freestyler David Walters wrapped things up in the last 100.
