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US Phelps rreaks record at Olympic trials
(Agencies)
Updated: 2004-07-08 14:38
Michael Phelps claimed the first spot on the US Olympic swim team with a
world-record performance. He believes he can go even faster in Athens. The
19-year-old from Baltimore broke his own record in the 400-meter individual
medley with a time of 4 minutes, 8.41 seconds Wednesday on the opening night of
the trials.
"I wanted to go into the Olympics with the fastest time in the world," he
said.
Michael Phelps
swims the breaststroke during his world record-breaking win in the 400
meter individual medley final at the US Olympic Swimming Trials in Long
Beach, California, July 7, 2004. Phelps record-breaking time was four
minutes, 8.41 seconds, eclipsing his previous world record time in the
event. [Reuters] |
Phelps set the previous
record of 4:09.09 last year in the world championships in Barcelona, where he
became the first swimmer in history to break five world records in one meet.
There's no telling what he'll do in his other five events in the eight-day
trials. Phelps' goal is to break Mark Spitz's 32-year-old record of seven
Olympic gold medals.
"There are a few things I can fix, so at least I hope there's another
hundredth or tenth in that race," he said about possibly lowering his latest
world mark in Athens.
Michael Phelps
swims backstroke during his four minute 16.11 second win in the 400 meter
long course individual medley heats at the U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials in
Long Beach, California, July 7, 2004.
[Reuters] |
Natalie Coughlin, also expected to
emerge as a star in Athens, will swim her first event Thursday in the 100
backstroke.
Three-time Olympian Jenny Thompson, who has a record 10 Olympic medals but
not an individual gold, qualified for the 100 butterfly final Thursday night.
She was fifth fastest in the semifinals at 59.17 seconds.
"I look to get better and better," she said.
Ed Moses and Brendan Hansen, who shared the American record, set up a
showdown in the 100 breaststroke final Thursday night.
Hansen's semifinal time of 1:00.13 gave him sole possession of the American
record and just missed the world mark of 59.78 set by Japan's Kosuke Kitajima.
Moses qualified fourth at 1:01.82.
Phelps was off record pace through the opening butterfly leg of the 400 IM,
but made up for it in the backstroke. He even had a chance to sneak a glimpse at
the scoreboard.
"If there's a clock there, I'm going to look," Phelps said.
The crowd of more than 7,000 fans chanted "Go! Go! Go!" each time Phelps
poked his head above water during the breaststroke. They rose to their feet as
he powered to the wall during the freestyle portion.
"Maybe it looked effortless, but it didn't feel effortless," he said,
grinning.
Erik Vendt finished second to Phelps, more than 5 1/2 seconds behind in
4:14.09.
"For me, getting second and making the team is just as good as winning,"
Vendt said.
Phelps wasn't the only impressive swimmer in the 400 IM.
Swimmer Katie Hoff waves to the crowd after winning the
Women's 400m individual medley with a time of four minutes 37.67 seconds
during qualifying for the US Olympic Swim Team in Long Beach, California,
July 7, 2004. [Reuters] |
Katie Hoff, a 15-year-old from the same North Baltimore club as Phelps, swam
the second-fastest time by an American to win in 4:37.67. She just missed Summer
Sanders' 12-year-old national mark of 4:37.58.
"During the first 200, I was going, 'OK, OK, don't worry about anybody else.
Just stick to my plan,'" she said. "On the breaststroke, I tried to start
passing people. On the last 100, the crowd came in and started cheering. I tried
to come home very fast."
Kaitlin Sandeno, an Olympic medalist from Sydney, was second in 4:40.39.
Klete Keller won the 400 freestyle with an American record of 3:44.19, more
than 2 seconds better than Phelps' mark set last August. Larsen Jensen was
second at 3:46.56 — also under the previous record.
"I was more nervous than I've ever been," said Keller, who won a bronze medal
in the same event at Sydney four years ago. "I almost felt like I was going to
cry before the start. I don't know why. I just remembered what my coach said,
'You don't have to feel good to swim fast.'"
Keller has his work cut out for him in Athens. He was still more than 4
seconds slower than Australian star Ian Thorpe, who has the eight fastest times
in history.
"I'm just going to enjoy this and keep working hard," Keller said. "Maybe
I'll see if I can go a little faster."
Phelps was relieved to make it through the first event in Long Beach, where
the US team is being decided in a temporary pool set up on a parking lot along
the shoreline.
"The trials are probably more stressful than the Olympic finals," he
said.
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