“The Americans? We’re going to smash them. That’s what we came here for.” — smack-talking French swimmer Alain Bernard

Only, Lezak ate up Bernard, outtouching him as the USA demolished the World Record (which was set by the American’s in the qualifying heat) with an amazing 3:08.24. The French would have set the WR themselves, but they didn’t.

Splits:
Michael Phelps lead off: 47.51 (new American record)
Garrett Weber-Gale: 47.02
Cullen Jones: 47.65
Jason Lezak: 46.06 (fastest relay split, ever)

Lezak on what was going through his mind: “I was really tired of losing.” 

What do the French have to say about it?

See also:

• MUST SEE: Link to NBC Olympics video (Internet Explorer req’d)
• Washington Post post that breaks down the swim
• New York times article
• ESPN and French post-event smack