Two world records fall as Phelps, Thorpe start perfectly in Athens Olympics

Two world records fell in the opening day's swimming competition as Michael Phelps and Ian Thorpe both kicked off their Olympic gold race perfectly by winning the men's 4x100m individual medley and 400 freestyle respectively at the 28th Olympic Games Saturday in Athens.

The 19-year-old American Phelps, who vowed to win seven gold medals in this Olympics, set a new world record of four minutes 8.26 seconds for the Games' first swimming gold, bettering his own mark of 4:08.41 set in the US Olympic Trials in Long Beach, California, on July 7.

The other world record was set by Australia in the women's 4x100m freestyle relay, which they won in 3:35.94. The previous world mark of 3:36.00 was set by Germany in July 29, 2002.

Thorpe, two years senior to Phelps, proved everything the American can do, he can do it, too.

The Aussie, who won three golds at Sydney, successfully defended his 400 meters freestyle title with a time of 3:43.10.

In the day's other finals, Yana Klochkova of Ukraine put up a dominant display to retain her 400m individual medley title and collected her third Olympic gold medal.

Phelps, who returned home from the Sydney Games four years ago empty-handed, said after the victory that winning seven gold medals is possible.

"That's one down and six to go," he said. "The whole day I was thinking about this race. I didn't sleep last night and I just swam as fast as I could."

Phelps, who owned four of the five fastest times ever in the event prior to the Olympics, led all the way for the win, kept his foot solid on earth to equal compatriot Mark Spitz' record of seven gold medals at a single Olympic Games.

Another American Erik Vendt finished second in 4:11.81 and Hungary's Laszlo Cseh, silver medalist behind Phelps at last year's World Championships, took the bronze in 4:12.15.

Phelps, whose gold is also the first of the United States in the Games, was happy with the U.S. one-two finish with Vendt.

"We wanted to finish one and two to get the team off to a good start."

Vendt was also satisfied with his performance.

"This really lifted the team. It is the best American team in the Olympic history."

Thorpe, in his familiar all-black swimsuit and yellow cap, was in tears after only just holding off Hackett who won silver with a time of 3:43.36.

"It's a pretty good result, it's great to do it at the Olympics.

"I was emotional, I didn't realize how much this event meant to me. I am more excited now that is off my shoulders," he said.

Thorpe attributed the victory to the people who love him.

"I was thinking about all the people who have sacrificed a lot to give me this opportunity, my coach, family and friends.

"It is much harder to defend than to win the title for the first time."

He was disqualified at the Australian Trials when he tumbled off the blocks before the gun had sounded and was only allowed to swim the event in Athens after his team-mate Craig Stevens surrendered his spot.

The bronze went to American Klete Keller in 3:44.11.

Hackett, gold medalist in the 1,500m freestyle event, was full of praise about his teammate.

"We've had some great races over the years but this one will go down in history," he said. "He is a great guy and good friend."

Hackett said that he felt no pressure before the race and happy with the improvement on his 7th finish four years ago.

"I didn't want to put too many expectations on myself," he said."I just wanted to do better than Sydney and I did that."

Klochkova, the world and Olympic record holder, followed up her victory in Sydney four years ago by just holding off American Kaitlin Sandeno for the gold medal.

Klochkova touched home in a time of 4:34.83, just 0.12 of a second ahead of Sandeno who set an American record with her silver medal-winning time of 4:34.95. Georgina Bardach of Argentina took the bronze in 4:37.51.

Klochkova, who also won a gold in the 200m individual medley in Sydney four years ago, was confident of successfully defending her title in the event and winning a fourth Olympic gold medal.

"I hope to win the 200m event again," she said. "But I tried not to pay attention to it and put myself under too much pressure."

The Australian women, composed of Alice Mills, Lisbeth Lenton, Petria Thomas and Jodie Henry, beat defending champions the United States to the second place with an incredible performance.

The United States clocked an American continent record of 3:36.39, while the Netherlands finished third in 3:37.59.