Netherlands win gold in Beijing Olympics

The Netherlands won a hotly contested women's 4x100 meters freestyle relay Sunday, adding the gloss of Olympic gold to the world record they captured earlier this year. Inge Dekker (54.37), Ranomi Kromowidjojo (53.39), Femke Heemskerk (53.42) and Marleen Veldhuis (52.58) -- finished strongly to take the gold medal in an Olympic record three minutes 33.76 seconds.
The Dutch were only 0.14secs off their world record of 3:33.62 set at the European championships in Eindhoven in March. The United States, anchored by 41-year-old Dara Torres, were second in 3:34.33 - an American record. Australia, whose lead-off swimmer Cate Campbell only turned 16 in May, took the bronze in 3:35.05 - an Oceania record.
The Dutch were bronze medalists behind Australia in Athens and silver medalists in the event at the 1932, 1952, 1984, 1988 and 2000 Olympics. It was the Netherlands' second Olympic gold medal in the women's freestyle relay following their win at the 1936 Berlin Olympics.
China and Germany finished fourth and fifth respectively.
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• Global
• Report
• Women's
• 4x100
• Meters
• Freestyle
• Netherlands

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