Belarus’ Aliaksandra Herasimenia took the bronze, behind Blume’s time by 0.11 seconds.
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The only challenge to the Americans came from Great Britain, who lost by more than a full second to take the silver.
As hosts, Britain were widely criticised for claiming just three medals, none of them gold, at London 2012. The win gives Manuel two golds and two silvers at the Rio Olympics.
Amid a almost packed venue that was already buzzing in anticipation of what is expected to be Michael Phelps’ final night of Olympic competition, Manuel – who won the 100 free on Thursday – was just a fingernail away in her follow-up event.
Kathleen Baker was inside the backstroke world record after 50 meters, with Canada’s Kylie Masse second, but had dropped to fourth at the handover to 100m breaststroke champion Lilly King with Denmark leading.
She also touched on the how she wants the Olympics to help ease the heightened racial tensions in the U.S.
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RIO DE JANEIRO The final event of the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics indoor swim meet, the men’s 4×100-meter medley relay, included a backstroke world record for Team USA and a gold medal, and completed a remarkable eight-day medal haul that re-established US dominance in the pool for another generation. Manuel dominated the last stretch of the race after inheriting a solid lead from Vollmer, helpint the team finish two seconds ahead of the rest of the field.
