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Australia celebrate their gold medals.
"Fourth in the Olympic Games is just not good enough. Fourth is not the place to come. My time would have got me a medal in the individual and I'm gutted I didn't do it."
Gemma Spofforth
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Great Britain's 4x100 medley relay team set a new national record but could only finish fourth as Australia won gold in a world record time.
The Aussies streaked ahead on the breaststroke leg with individual Olympic champion Leisel Jones taking control and the gap on the Americans extended thanks to butterfly specialist Libby Trickett.
Gemma Spofforth put the British quartet in second place after the first leg but Kate Haywood couldn't keep up with 100m breaststroke gold medal winner Leisel Jones, who made sure the Aussies streaked ahead of the field.
It was then the turn of butterfly specialist Libby Trickett to extend the lead further over America although on the final freestyle leg Jessicah Schipper had to fight hard to hold of off Dara Torres as Australia touched in a time of 3:52.69.
China claimed the bronze in 3:56.11, with Great Britain one place back after recording a time of 3:57.50 despite Fran Halsall's brave attempt to close the gap on the final straight.
Afterwards Spofforth said: "Fourth in the Olympic Games is just not good enough. Fourth is not the place to come. My time would have got me a medal in the individual and I'm gutted I didn't do it.
Lowe added: "I'm trying not to be upset. It's been a great experience being here.
"In the next four years the relay team is going to be phenomenal, and next time we'll get them."
