ROME, Aug. 2 (Xinhua) -- The United States won the men's 4x100mmedley relay gold medal in a world record time of three minutes 27.28 seconds at the world swimming championships here on Sunday.

    Michael Phelps, who swam the butterfly leg, picked up his fifth gold medal of the Rome worlds.

    The American quartet of Aaron Peirsol, Eric Shanteau, Phelps and David Walters broke the previous record of 3:30.68 set by the United States in winning Olympic gold in Beijing.

    Germany finished second in 3:28.58 with Australia third in 3:28.64.