BEIJING, Aug. 11 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. swimmers became the Water Cube stars here on Monday after smashing their own 4X100 meters freestyle relay world record in one of the most crazy races ever.

    Three other world records are demolished in men's 100m free, 100m breaststroke, and women's 100m back.

    American foursome Michael Phelps, Garrett Weber-Gale, Cullen Jones and Jason Lezak improved their own 4X100 relay record by about four seconds to score 3:08.24.

    Veteran relay swimmer Lezak, 32, put on one of his most superb races to outstroke top French freestyler Alain Bernard by 0.08 seconds.

    The U.S. president George W, Bush was among thousands of spectators in the bubble-shaped 17,000-seat facility, which shivers in thunderous cheers.

    "I knew I had to swim my mind out. I had more adrenaline going than I ever had in my life," he said at a press conference.

    His teammates all credited him with the final victory. "I was just thinking that, if there was anybody in the world that could have pulled that off (in the last leg), it was Jason," said Weber-Gale.

    Lezak was part of the American relay team which won silver in 2000 and bronze in 2004. "When he lost in 2000 and 2004, I can see on his face the pain of losing something like that," Weber-Gale said.

    The Americans hugged each other in rapture after the victory, and lingered besides the pool, seemingly to recover from the ecstasy, while some chanted "USA" in congratulations of the champions. Phelps was apparently overjoyed and said he nearly lost his voice.

    "Jason finished the race better than we could have asked for. At the end, as you could see I was pretty excited. I was very emotional," Phelps said. The relay gold took Phelps further in his eight-gold quest in Beijing.

    The relay race was so powerful that it overshadowed a new 100m free record set by Australian Eamon Sullivan. Sullivan, the current 50m free world record holder, finished his leg in 47.24 seconds.

    In the Water Cube, the poker-faced Japanese Kosuke Kitajima also had an emotional moment when he successfully defended his Olympic crown in men's 100m breaststroke with a new world record of 58.91 seconds.

    Norwegian Alexander Dale Oen, the silver medalist, and French Hugues Duboscq, the bronze winner, together held off American Brendan Hansen, the previous world record holder.

    Monday's fourth world record was created by Zimbabwe's "national treasure" Kirsty Coventry, who bettered the women's 100m backstroke mark at 58.77 seconds in the semifinals. American Natalie Coughlin was second fastest in the heats.

    Australian sprinter Libby Trickett overcame her nerves to win women's 100 butterfly in 56.73, while teammate Jessicah Schipper finished third with 57.25 seconds.

    In women's 400-meter freestyle, two Britons came out of nowhere to win the gold and bronze. Gold medallist Rebecca Adlington finished in 4:03.22, about 0.07 seconds ahead of American hot favorite Katie Hoff.

    The event's world record holder Italian Federica Pellegrini ended up fifth.

    In the 100m backstroke semifinal, world record holder Aaron Peirsol entered into the final ranking the 5th. Australian Leisel Jones topped the heats in women's 100 meters breaststroke with 1:05.80. Michael Phelps again played card games in the 200 free to keep strength for a good swim in the final.