The United States have won the gold in the women's 4x200 freestyle relay.

Missy Franklin kicked off the American's campaign, and was soon drawn into a two-horse race with the Australians.

Australia put their fastest sprinter, Bronte Barratt, out first in a move that might well have paid off against lesser opposition.

There was a frantic battle at the death between Allison Schmitt of the US and Australia's Alicia Coutts, but it was Schmitt who hit the side first to clock up an Olympic record time of 7:42.92.

France, who tailed the top two for much of the race, came in third and took the bronze with a time of 7:47.49.

Team GB, led off by Caitlin McClatchey, came in fifth with Hannah Miley impressing during her leg. A big finish from Joanne Jackson was enough to edge out China in sixth.