Australia and US dominate as more world records tumble

By Peter Auf der Heyde Mar 30, 2007, 15:04 GMT

(From L-R) Ryan Lochte and Michael Phelps of the USA cheer for their teammate competing on the last leg following victory and a new world record in the Men\'s 4x200m freestyle relay final in the Susie O\'Neill pool at the FINA Swimming World Championships in Melbourne, Australia, Friday 30 March 2007. EPA/PATRICK B. KRAEMER

Melbourne - American superstar Michael Phelps took another step towards swimming immortality Friday when he won a fifth gold medal and was involved in a fourth world record at the world swimming championships in Australia.

The 21-year old was the first swimmer for the victorious US 4x200m freestyle relay that broke the world record by an amazing 1.42 seconds, to give him his second relay gold to go with the three individual titles he has won so far.

It was not the only world record of the night as American Ryan Lochte won the men's 200m backstroke in record time and later also swam in the relay team.

There were also two gold medals for the hosts as Libby Lenton took the women's blue riband event, the 100m freestyle, while Leisel Jones was a popular winner in the women's 200m breaststroke.

The other gold medal of the night went to Japan's Kosuke Kitajima.

Phelps, however, did not have it all his own way on the night, qualifying as fourth fastest for Saturday's 100m butterfly final in 51.92 seconds.

He said that he was feeling slightly tired after the five days of competition. 'I know that the 100m butterfly will be the most difficult of my swims, but I will try my best.'

Compatriot and world record holder Ian Crocker was the fastest as he beat Phelps in the semi-final with a time of 51.41 seconds. South African Lyndon Ferns also beat the American in the semi-final.

In the 200m backstroke, which was the first swim of the evening, Lochte broke the 10th world record of the championships in 1 minute 54.32 seconds.

Defending champion Aaron Peirsol, who also held the world record with 1:54.44, was second in 1:54.80, with third place going to Austrian Markus Rogan, who pushed past Russian Arkady Vyatchanin on the final metres to win bronze in 1:56.02.

Lochte could not believe it that he had won the gold at first. 'Man, I still don't think it's true. I'm in shock.

He said that he had looked up after 50m. 'I kind of looked up at the scoreboard to see where I was. I probably shouldn't have done that, but when I did I saw I was right there with Aaron Peirsol and I just kicked.'

In the women's 100m freestyle, German world record holder Britta Steffen failed to live up to her role as favourite in the Rod Laver Arena as she finished third in 53.74 seconds.

Local favourite Lenton was a popular winner in 53.40. The silver medal went to Marleen Veldhuis from the Netherlands 0.30 seconds behind.

A tearful Lenton was speechless at first after coming out of the water. 'It was just so good to get out there for the crowd, they were so supportive before the race', she then said.

She said that she managed to stay calm because she made her experience count for her, she then proceeded to dedicate her victory to her fiance, whom she is marrying next week.

Jones was another popular local winner as she cruised to victory in the women's 200m breaststroke in 2:21.84, more than four second ahead of Briton Kirsty Balfour and American Megan Jendrick who tied for second place in 2.25.94.

Jones too thanked the crowd after her victory. 'In front such a large crowd I just had to do well. Thanks guys.'

There was a further medal for the Australians in the men's 200m, where Brenton Rickard was beaten only by Japan's Kosuke Kitajima. The 2003 winner won in 2:09.80, beating Rickard by 1.19 seconds.

The bronze went to Italian Loris Facci in 2:11.03 minutes.

The final scheduled swim of the evening saw another world record as the US team took 1.42 seconds off the 4x200m freestyle relay, with Michael Phelps winning his fifth gold medal and breaking a fourth world record at the world championships.

The US won in 7:03.24, beating Australia into second place with 7:10.05, while Canada took bronze in 7:10.70.