Callus did well to stave off the faster and more experienced Lezak, giving Thorpe a slender lead. The fast-finishing Thorpe managed to overhaul the fast-starting Gary Hall Jr. by a handspan, sealing a gold medal in a world record time of 3 min 13.67 s, almost two seconds below the previous world mark.
Callus held off Lezak's faster pace, giving Thorpe a slight lead. Thorpe then overtook Hall Jr. at the finish line to win gold in a world record time of 3 min 13.67 s, which was almost two seconds quicker than the previous record.