Spurred by rousing cheers of "Thorpey! Thorpey!" Ian Thorpe gave the Australians a huge lead as they set the world record in winning the Olympic 4x200-meter freestyle relay Tuesday.

Spurred by rousing cheers of "Thorpey! Thorpey!" Ian Thorpe gave the Australians a huge lead as they set the world record in winning the Olympic 4x200-meter freestyle relay Tuesday. It was the Aussies' second men's relay victory over the Americans, who narrowly lost to the host country in the 4x100 free relay last weekend. Tom Malchow, however, gave the U.S. team reason to celebrate by winning the 200 butterfly and lowering his own Olympic record for the third time in two days. His victory gave the Americans their sixth swimming gold medal in four days. The Aussie team of Thorpe, Michael Klim, Todd Pearson and William Kirby won in 7 minutes, 7.05 seconds -- lowering Australia's world mark of 7:08.79 set in August, 1999. The U.S. team, comprised of Scott Goldblatt, Josh Davis, Jamie Rauch and Klete Keller, took the silver in 7:12.64. The Netherlands earned the bronze in 7:12.70. Australian officials said Thorpe could swim the 4x100 medley relay, with heats beginning on Friday. That means Thorpe gets another chance to add to the three golds and the silver he's already won at his first Olympics. The Dutch, anchored by Van den Hoogenband, won their first Olympic medal ever in the event.In the 200 butterfly, Malchow, of St. Paul, Minn., was first in 1:55.35, bettering his own Olympic mark of 1:56.02 set in Monday's semifinals.