No surprises as USA take gold in women's 4x100 metres medley relay

Great Britain came eighth as the United States won the women's 4x100 metres medley relay in a new world record in the penultimate race of the 2012 Olympics.

It was always a tall order for the quartet - made up of Gemma Spofforth, Siobhan-Marie O'Connor, Ellen Gandy and Fran Halsall - to challenge for medals.

Fifth after Spofforth's opening backstroke leg, they fell behind on the breaststroke and could not make any inroads on those ahead of them.

They touched in three minutes 59.46 as the United States lowered China's world record by 0.14secs to 3mins 52.05secs.

PA