Phelps bags fifth gold at Athens Olympics

American phenomenon Michael Phelps continued his Olympic gold haul Friday when he rushed to his fifth title here by beating archrival and teammate Ian Crocker in the 100m butterfly.

The 19-year-old Phelps, already crowned with 200m fly, 200m and 400m individual medley and 4x200m freestyle titles, edged past world record holder Crocker in the final meters to touch in an Olympic record time of 51.25 seconds.

"It (the 100m fly gold) is just as exciting as all the other ones," said Phelps, who broke the world record in the 400m IM in 4: 08.26.

"The things I am doing right now I have dreamt about my whole life," he said about his medal collection here which also includes two bronzes from the 100m free and and 4x100m free relay.

World champion Crocker, who set the world mark at the U.S. Olympic trials in July, had to settle for the silver in 51.29.

World bronze medalist Andriy Serdinov of Ukraine finished third, 0.11 seconds off the pace.

Serdinov was satisfied with his result, which set a new European record.

"When I saw my name on the board my dream came true. I am satisfied and happy," he said. "I expected to win the medal. I swam well."

Phelps is expected to be in the 4x100m medley relay final Saturday, seeking his six gold on the last day of the swimming competition.

"I am tired, I have one more race to go and it is the big one, the medley relay. This race is emotional and physical, it's very draining," he said.

"But I think it will be the most beautiful week of my life," Phelps said.