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Phelps, US Grab Relay Record

By the Associated Press

Posted Aug 2, 2009 2:51 PM CDT

(AP) – Michael Phelps and the US 400-meter medley relay team closed the fastest meet in swimming history with an appropriate finish Sunday night in Rome—the 43rd world record. Phelps earned his fifth gold medal of a world championship that showed he's still got plenty of motivation, even after scoring a record eight golds at the Beijing Olympics.

Swimming the butterfly leg, Phelps helped the US pull away from Germany and Australia to win in 3 minutes, 27.28 seconds. That easily broke the mark set by the Americans at last summer's Olympics, 3:29.34. Also today, Ryan Lochte won his fourth gold medal of the championships and Germany's Britta Steffen matched her 50-100 freestyle sweep in Beijing.

Ryan Lochte of the United States swims in a Men's 400m Individual Medley heat at the FINA Swimming World Championships in Rome, Sunday, Aug. 2, 2009.
Ryan Lochte of the United States swims in a Men's 400m Individual Medley heat at the FINA Swimming World Championships in Rome, Sunday, Aug. 2, 2009.   (Michael Sohn)
Germany's Britta Steffen, right, walks off with Dara Torres of the United States, after winning a Women's 50m Freestyle final, at the FINA Swimming World Championships in Rome, Sunday, Aug. 2, 2009.
Germany's Britta Steffen, right, walks off with Dara Torres of the United States, after winning a Women's 50m Freestyle final, at the FINA Swimming World Championships in Rome, Sunday, Aug. 2, 2009.   (Alessandra Tarantino)
Ryan Lochte of the United States bites the gold medal of the Men's 400m Individual Medley, at the FINA Swimming World Championships in Rome, Sunday, Aug. 2, 2009.
Ryan Lochte of the United States bites the gold medal of the Men's 400m Individual Medley, at the FINA Swimming World Championships in Rome, Sunday, Aug. 2, 2009.   (Michael Sohn)
Michael Phelps of the United States, right, celebrates with teammates after winning the gold medal in the Men's 4x100m Medley Relay at the FINA Swimming World Championships.
Michael Phelps of the United States, right, celebrates with teammates after winning the gold medal in the Men's 4x100m Medley Relay at the FINA Swimming World Championships.   (Michael Sohn)
From left, Aaron Piersol, Eric Shanteau Michael Phelps and David Walters of the United States show their the gold medals of the Men's 4x100m Medley Relay at the FINA Swimming World Championships in Rome, Sunday, Aug. 2, 2009.
From left, Aaron Piersol, Eric Shanteau Michael Phelps and David Walters of the United States show their the gold medals of the Men's 4x100m Medley Relay at the FINA Swimming World Championships in Rome,...   (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Michael Phelps reacts with teammates Eric Shanteau and Aaron Peirsol on their way to winning the gold medal in the Men's 4x100m Medley Relay at the FINA Swimming World Championships in Rome, Sunday, Aug. 2, 2009.
Michael Phelps reacts with teammates Eric Shanteau and Aaron Peirsol on their way to winning the gold medal in the Men's 4x100m Medley Relay at the FINA Swimming World Championships in Rome, Sunday, Aug....   (AP Photo/AMark J. Terrill)
Michael Phelps reacts with teammates Eric Shanteau, center, and Aaron Peirsol, on their way to winning the gold medal in the Men's 4x100m Medley Relay at the FINA Swimming World Championships in Rome, Sunday, Aug. 2, 2009.
Michael Phelps reacts with teammates Eric Shanteau, center, and Aaron Peirsol, on their way to winning the gold medal in the Men's 4x100m Medley Relay at the FINA Swimming World Championships in Rome,...   (AP Photo/AMark J. Terrill)
Michael Phelps swims to the gold medal of the Men's 4x100m Medley Relay at the FINA Swimming World Championships in Rome, Sunday, Aug. 2, 2009.
Michael Phelps swims to the gold medal of the Men's 4x100m Medley Relay at the FINA Swimming World Championships in Rome, Sunday, Aug. 2, 2009.   (AP Photo/Michael Sohn)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 3 comments
iamacidangel
Aug 2, 2009 11:33 AM CDT
He singlehandedly is Team USA Swimming.
iamacidangel
Aug 2, 2009 11:31 AM CDT
Let the hating begin...lets se how long it takes someone to write about the team passing around a bong before the race.
DaytonAve.
Aug 2, 2009 7:57 AM CDT
The mans a machine. Suck on it Above The Influence

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Michael Phelps • world record • swimming • Olympics

 
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