Ian Thorpe collected a record sixth gold medal at the swimming world championships on today when he anchored the Australian 4x100 metres medley team to a thrilling victory. The 18-year-old reeled in Anthony Ervin with his final stroke to reach the wall a fingertip clear of the United States, who were later disqualified along with the Netherlands for faulty changeovers on the freestyle leg. Australia took the gold in three minutes 35.35 seconds with Germany, who had finished third, promoted to silver and Russia elevated to the bronze medal position.
Thorpe's victory capped off another great night in the Marine Messe pool for the Australians who claimed three of the five titles on offer.
Petria Thomas added the 100 metres butterfly title to the 200 metres crown she won on Monday while Geoff Huegill won the 50 metres butterfly final before returning to the pool to win another gold as part of the relay team. Natalie Coughlin brought the United States their ninth gold medal of the meet, and their only win of the night, when she hung on to win the women's 100 metres backstroke title. She built up a massive lead on the first length but tired on the return length and only just held off hard-challenging Olympic gold medallist Diana Mocanu of Romania.
