Silver medalists United States had a great lead off leg from the experienced Natalie Coughlin, were steady through Nymeyer and Joyce, and were brought home strongly by Dara Torres who recorded a slick 52.44 split to give the USA team a time of 3:34.33.
Defending World and Olympic champions Australia, who were well back for much of the race and seemed to be out of the medals at the 300m mark, came storming home thanks to a blistering final leg of 52.34 from 100m Freestyle world record holder Lisbeth Trickett to claim the bronze medal.
China, the fastest qualifier from the heats, may have devoted their strength to the heats because they were visibly tired and were overtaken to eventually touch fourth behind the fast-finishing Australia.
(Photo credit: Adam Pretty/Getty Images)
(Photo credit: Adam Pretty/Getty Images)
