US wins 4X100 freestyle relay gold with stunning new world recor
11/8/2008 17:23
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 in
Beijing today.
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 yesterday'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.
Xinhua
|
