France upset Phelps, Lochte-strong USA to claim men's 4x100m freestyle relay gold
France pulled off an upset victory over the United States to claim the men's 4x100 freestyle relay gold medal at the Olympics for the first time here yesterday.
A pulsating final saw France come home just ahead of the Americans to claim the gold with Russia finishing third — leaving the mighty Australian team spearheaded by James Magnussen trailing in fourth.
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The French team of Amaury Leveaux, Fabien Gilot, Clement Lefert and Yannick Agnel clocked 3:09.93, Agnel coming from behind on the last leg and overtaking American anchor Ryan Lochte for the triumph. The US team of Nathan Adrian, Michael Phelps, Cullen Jones and Lochte were second in 3:10.38.
Russia’s Andrey Grechin, Nikita Lobintsev, Vladimir Morozov and Danila Izotov were third in 3:11.41.
Australia led off with Magnussen at the distance, but were behind after his opening leg. Matt Targett, former world record-holder Eamon Sullivan and James Roberts couldn’t respond as Australia settled for fourth place.