ROME, (Reuters) – Michael Phelps helped the United  States smash the world record and complete a men’s relay clean  sweep with victory in the 4×100 medley at the world  championships yesterday.

The Olympic champions led from start to finish and triumphed  in three minutes 27.28 to shave over two seconds off their mark  of 3:29.34 from the Beijing Games.

Germany took silver with 2007 champions Australia winning  the bronze medal.
It is Phelps’ fifth gold this week after he helped the U.S.  take the 100 and 200 freestyle relays and won an epic clash with  Serb rival Milorad Cavic to keep his 100 butterfly title on  Saturday, having successfully defended his 200 crown. “For us to end on this note going into next year is a great  way to finish,” Phelps told reporters.

“There was so much emotion coming out of yesterday’s race.  but nothing is bigger than being in a relay, especially coming  and smashing the world record.”

The 24-year-old, who won a record eight gold medals at last  year’s Beijing Olympics, now has a career total 22 world  championship golds to his name.

Aaron Peirsol, the individual 200 backstroke champion, put  the Americans in front in the first leg of the relay and Eric  Shanteau kept them there after the breaststroke.

Phelps stretched the lead in the butterfly leg before  freestyler David Walters wrapped things up in the last 100.