France win men's relay gold, Aussies fail to deliver

30 Jul 2012, 8:47 am   -   Source: Reuters, AFP
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Michael Phelps swam the second leg for the Americans and picked up the first silver medal of his Olympic career to lift his overall medal tally to 17, just one shy of the all-time record. (Reuters)

Michael Phelps swam the second leg for the Americans and picked up the first silver medal of his Olympic career to lift his overall medal tally to 17, just one shy of the all-time record. (Reuters)

Australia failed to deliver in the men's 4x100m relay final at the London Olympics, finishing fourth behind France, USA and Russia. 

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Australia failed to deliver in the men's 4x100m relay final, finishing fourth behind France, USA and Russia.

Russia took bronze over a stunned Australia, whose vaunted James "The Missile" Magnussen and James "The Rocket" Roberts failed to fire.

"I did a 47.3 this morning and it was the easiest swim I have done in months," Magnussen said. "I don't know, I just couldn't back up tonight maybe, it just took a bit out of the tank this morning."

France avenged their defeat to the United States in Beijing four years ago when they snatched the gold medal in the men's 4x100 metres freestyle final.

Yannick Agnel, swimming the anchor leg for the French, reeled in Ryan Lochte on the last lap to win gold for France in three minutes, 09.93 seconds.

The Americans, who gambled and lost when they called up Lochte ahead of their sprint specialists, held on to take the silver medal after an exhilarating finish.

Michael Phelps swam the second leg for the Americans and picked up the first silver medal of his Olympic career to lift his overall medal tally to 17, just one shy of the all-time record.

Four years ago, Phelps won an unprecedented eight golds in Beijing, including the men's relay when the U.S. famously came from behind to beat France on the last lap.

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Your Comments

relay loss

oncewas - from bribie island, 11 months ago

my god, they lost. oh woe. the world knows that the olympics are not about sport or sportsmanship so send them home in disgrace. oh me oh my, no gold!

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