MEDAL ALERT: Team USA wins gold medal in men’s 4x100 medley relay in Olympic swimming. Michael Phelps takes home 18th and final gold medal.

The United States powered to gold in the flagship women’s Olympic eight on Thursday after fighting off fierce rivals Canada to maintain their stunning six-year winning streak and cap a thrilling day of racing on Dorney Lake. The American women’s crew are likely to receive a heroes welcome following their emphatic win on the course to the west of London which confirmed their dominance of the event. Having taken a half a length lead over Canada and the Netherlands in the early stages they had to hold on as their neighbours came back at them before 25,000 roaring fans packed into the course to the west of London. “This was awesome, at the end I don’t think I could have pulled one more stroke,” Caroline Lind told reporters on the side of the lake after they had earlier punched the air and splashed the water as they crossed the line. “We got the gold and that is what mattered.” READ ON: U.S. rowers storm to gold 
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The United States powered to gold in the flagship women’s Olympic eight on Thursday after fighting off fierce rivals Canada to maintain their stunning six-year winning streak and cap a thrilling day of racing on Dorney Lake.

The American women’s crew are likely to receive a heroes welcome following their emphatic win on the course to the west of London which confirmed their dominance of the event.

Having taken a half a length lead over Canada and the Netherlands in the early stages they had to hold on as their neighbours came back at them before 25,000 roaring fans packed into the course to the west of London.

“This was awesome, at the end I don’t think I could have pulled one more stroke,” Caroline Lind told reporters on the side of the lake after they had earlier punched the air and splashed the water as they crossed the line. “We got the gold and that is what mattered.”

READ ON: U.S. rowers storm to gold 

Shannon Vreeland, Allison Schmitt, Dana Vollmer, Missy Franklin of the U.S. celebrate winning gold in the women’s 4x200m freestyle relay final with an Olympic record during the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Aquatics Centre August 1, 2012. [REUTERS/Toby Melville]  FULL COVERAGE: London 2012 Summer Olympic Games 
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Shannon Vreeland, Allison Schmitt, Dana Vollmer, Missy Franklin of the U.S. celebrate winning gold in the women’s 4x200m freestyle relay final with an Olympic record during the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Aquatics Centre August 1, 2012. [REUTERS/Toby Melville] 

FULL COVERAGE: London 2012 Summer Olympic Games 

Flag bearer Mariel Zagunis of the United States holds the national flag as she leads the contingent in the athletes parade during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium July 27, 2012. [REUTERS/Murad Sezer]
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Flag bearer Mariel Zagunis of the United States holds the national flag as she leads the contingent in the athletes parade during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium July 27, 2012. [REUTERS/Murad Sezer]