Australia has claimed a shock silver medal in the Olympic men's 4x400m relay in Athens, coming in behind the United States.

The team of John Steffensen, Mark Ormrod, Patrick Dwyer and Clinton Hill clocked 3:00.60.

Nigeria took the bronze.

Hill, who was so disappointing in the individual 400m when he was eliminated in the first round, ran a superb anchor leg for the Australians.

The United States took the gold in 2:55.91, while Nigeria was third in 3:00.90.

It was Australia's first Olympic track relay medal since 1956.

At the Melbourne Games, Australia took gold in the women's 4x100m relay, while current International Olympic Committee member Kevan Gosper was a member of the 4x400m squad that claimed silver.

Australia scraped into tonight's 4x400m final as the seventh fastest team in the heats and was given little hope of figuring in the medals, especially as Casey Vincent was unavailable through injury.

The Americans always had the race well in hand, but the first three Australian runners were able to stay in contention with the chasing pack.

That allowed the South African-born Hill to unleash his withering last lap.

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