London Olympics: France swim to glory, beat US to win men's 4X100 freestyle relay gold

France engineered an epic upset in the men's 4x100m freestyle relay, one of two French golds on a pulsating night of action in the Olympic pool where two world records fell, says a report in The Indian Express, adding that Yannick Agnel powered past American star Ryan Lochte on the final 50m of the closing relay leg as France won the coveted 4x100 m relay gold for the first time in 3 min 09.93 sec.

The Americans' second-placed finish gave Michael Phelps a first career silver medal to go with his 14 gold and two bronze.  Russia took bronze over a stunned Australia, whose vaunted James "The Missile" Magnussen and James "The Rocket" Roberts failed to fire.
The victory was redemption of a sort for France, who went into the same race as favorites in Beijing four years ago only to see veteran Jason Lezak's miraculous final-leg swim deliver victory to the United States and keep Phelps' bid for eight gold medals alive.

Meanwhile Hindustan Times reports, American swimmer Ryan Lochte sunk record-chasing Michael Phelps on Saturday in a pulsating start to the Olympics while China's Sun Yang and Ye Shiwen wrote their name in the record books. Lochte's 400m individual medley showdown with Phelps turned out to be a no-contest as he dominated to win in 4min 05.18sec, ahead of Brazilian Thiago Pereira and Japan's Kosuke Hagino, with Phelps back in fourth.

The loss is a setback for 16-time medallist Phelps, who memorably won a record eight titles in Beijing, and needs just three more medals to overhaul Soviet gymnast Larisa Latynina's all-time best of 18. "It was just a crappy race," Phelps said. "I felt fine the first 200 and then I couldn't really go the last 100."

The Hindu adds that the swimming world was shocked to find Michael Phelps, with 14 gold medals in Olympics, not to win a medal for the first time in his career since he finished fifth as a 15-year-old in the Sydney Games. It was not a surprise that Lochte won, for he was the favourite as the World champion. He had also said that there were other swimmers to worry about than Phelps. He was right.
“It is weird not having Michael with me on the medal stand. Michael to me still is one of the world’s greatest. We have probably one of the best rivalries in swimming ever. I am happy to be in the same race as him and from the same country. Win or lose at the end of the day we are still friends”, said Lochte who had made a symbol with his fingers after the triumph, to denote a combination of his initials R and L,” said Lochte, emphasising his admiration.