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The men s relayers couldn t repeat the heroics of their countrywomen, who set a world record in winning gold on Sunday - their third consecutive Olympic title.
But reigning Olympic 100m champion Chalmers produced a stunning last leg to drag Australia from fifth at the turn onto the podium.
Australia s men found the pace of the world-record holding Americans too hot to handle, with US star Caleb Dressel swimming a standout opening leg.
Dressel is the main rival to Chalmers in the individual 100m freestyle - those opening heats are contested on Tuesday evening.
The Americans led from start to finish in the relay final, winning in three minutes 08.97 seconds, with Australia 1.25 seconds behind in third.
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