Michael Phelps began his quest to break Mark Spitz's record of seven Olympic gold medals by easily qualifying for the 400m individual medley final yesterday.
Phelps was the fastest swimmer in morning preliminaries with a time of 4 minutes, 13.29 seconds -- well off his world record of 4:08.41.
He was to return last night for the eight-man final as the overwhelming favorite to win his first gold medal of the Athens Games. American swimmers have finished 1-2 in the event at the last two Olympics.
Ian Thorpe, the superstar of the Sydney Games, settled for being the second-fastest qualifier behind Australian teammate Grant Hackett in the 400m freestyle.
Hackett finished in 3:46.36. Thorpe, the world record holder, was next in 3:46.55.
Thorpe fell off the starting blocks and was disqualified at the Australian trials in March. But teammate Craig Stevens gave up his berth in the 400m free so Thorpe could have a chance to defend his Olympic title.
Thorpe was all business on the deck. He walked out barefoot wearing a full black body suit, with his cap and goggles already on. Most swimmers remove layers of clothing, jackets and shoes in the moments before a race.
American Larsen Jensen chased Thorpe to the wall in their heat and was third quickest in 3:46.90. Massimiliano Rosolino of Italy, the 2000 silver medalist, also made the eight-man evening final in 3:47.72. American Klete Keller, the bronze medalist four years ago, was fifth in 3:47.77.
Petria Thomas of Australia led the way in the 100m fly, qualifying in 54.47 seconds. Otylia Jedrzejczak of Poland was second in 57.84. Inge de Bruijn of the Netherlands, the defending Olympic champion, was third in 58.47. Martina Moracova of Slovakia, the 2000 silver medalist, was fourth in 58.48.
Phelps, who slowed up on his final two laps, is nearly four seconds faster than anyone else in the world this year. He lowered his own world record at last month's U.S. trials.
Laszlo Cseh of Hungary was second quickest in 4:14.26 and Alessio Boggiatto of Italy was third in the 400m individual medley in 4:15.76. Greek fans cheered loudly for countryman Ioannis Kokkodis, who made the final in fifth place.
The Greeks were on their feet chanting when Spyridon Gianniotis qualified for the 400m free final.
RSS