The American teenager Missy Franklin has become the first woman to win six gold medals at a single world swimming championships when she helped the United States to victory in the 4x100 metres medley relay in Barcelona.
18-year-old Franklin swam the opening backstroke leg, adding her relay gold to titles in the 100 and 200 backstroke, 200 freestyle and two other freestyle relays.
On the downside for the Americans, their mens 4x100 metres medley relay team was disqualified "for an early exchange", and the gold medal was awarded to France.
The Americans were denied what would have been a 12th triumph in the event in 15 championships since the inaugural edition in Belgrade in 1973.
