Relay fightback provided U.S. inspiration

BEIJING (Reuters) - Fuelled by their staggering victory in the men's 4x100 meters freestyle relay a day earlier, the United States showed their true colors on Tuesday by snatching three of the four Olympic gold medals up for grabs.

Michael Phelps, Natalie Coughlin and Aaron Peirsol extended the U.S. lead at the top of the swimming medals table, spurred on by Monday's scintillating come-from-behind relay win.

"The U.S. team gained a lot of momentum...it was probably the most amazing race I've ever seen," said Natalie Coughlin, who won the women's 100 backstroke gold. "It got a lot of us really really pumped up."

Trailing a powerful French relay quartet, U.S. anchorman Jason Lezak pulled off what seemed impossible when he reeled-in former world record holder Alain Bernard to snatch victory in the final inches of the race.

"Maybe yesterday's relay has inspired us all," said 100 meters breaststroke silver medalist Rebecca Soni.

"It definitely worked for me."

After three days of finals, the U.S. are ahead with five gold medals, trailed by Australia on three. South Korea, Japan, Britain and Netherland each have one.

The U.S. had got off to a nervous start, with pre-race favorite Brendan Hansen out of the medals in the 100 breaststroke and strong contender Katie Hoff winning silver and bronze in the 400 freestyle and the 400 individual medley.

But their fortunes changed dramatically at the Water Cube on Tuesday.

"The ball's rolling," said Michael Phelps after smashing his own world record to win the 200 freestyle, his third gold medal of a possible eight.

"It started like that (at the world championships) last year, one swim started it all off and the great swims started to happen one after the other."

Head coach Mark Schubert also believed the relay win had set things in motion.

"It was the most phenomenal performance I've ever seen," he said. "The relay was a tremendous inspiration for everyone."

(Editing by Greg Stutchbury)

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