The French were stunned.
Phelps and the American team were ecstatic.
Even the teams that came in #4 and #5 broke the old record and still lost. That is how fast this event was.
More of the story and video:
http://www.nbcolympics.com/swimming/news/newsid=194272.html#lezaks+classic+finish+delivers+gold
What aggravates me with the NBC commentators/announcers is this:
For several events the commentators have basically handed other teams the gold medals BEFORE the event takes place. They have implied that the Americans didn't stand a chance of winning.
And in those events, Americans ended up winning.
If there is any 'smashing', it should be the mouths of the commentators.