Relay team lands first Aussie gold
AUSTRALIA claimed its first gold medal of the London Olympics after the women's 400 metre freestyle relay team led home the Netherlands and the United States.
Always figuring in the top three spots at each change, Melanie Schlanger brought the Australian fans to its feet, storming home to break the Olympic record.
Led off by Alicia Coutts, followed then by Cate Campbell, it was not until third swimmer Brittany Elmslie that Australia took the lead.
But despite the challenges of the Netherlands, the United States and the home side, Team Great Britain, the Australians, in the end, were too strong.
The Australian swimmers said belief in the team drove them to the top of the podium.
"I knew I had to go out and do what I could for the girls," Coutts said.
"I thought 'I can't let the team down'", Schlanger added.
After the race the excitement of claiming Australia's first medal at these games bubbled to the surface.
"I don't think I've ever had so much fun in my life," Campbel said.
