Phelps takes 1st gold medal

2008-08-10 08:35

Beijing - Swimmer Michael Phelps demolished his own world record to take a first gold on Sunday in the quest for an unprecedented eight wins, but violence in the far west again marred the Beijing Olympics party.

Listening to hip-hop on headphones as he walked to the block, Phelps went on to win the 400 metres individual medley at China's futuristic and full-to-capacity Water Cube. His time was 1.41 seconds quicker than a previous best he set just six weeks ago.

After the first race of a thrilling morning at the pool, Phelps raised his arms to celebrate triumph in what he calls his weakest event. He was watched by President George Bush and cheered by flag-waving compatriots and thousands of Chinese.

'Pretty cool'

"I'm pretty happy with that ... it was all adrenaline," said Phelps, describing Bush's presence as "pretty cool."

Even if the lanky 23-year-old with the perfect swimming physique wins only half his eight race competitions, he will hold more Olympic gold medals than any other athlete.

But he looks in great shape to match his own six golds at Athens 2004 then maybe go one further than Mark Spitz's 1972 record of seven wins at one Games.

Despite the Phelps phenomenon, the Games' Day Two was spoiled by pre-dawn blasts and a shootout in Xinjiang.

State media said "lawbreakers" tossed homemade explosives into local government buildings. Five attackers were shot dead by police, and two officers plus a security guard injured. Suspected Muslim militants killed 16 police in the same region a week ago.

It was not known who was behind Sunday's attack.

Beijing says it has foiled past plots to sabotage the Olympics by separatists in Xinjiang. Critics accuse China of exaggerating the threat to justify repression of dissidents.

After Phelps thrilled the Water Cube, Australia's Stephanie Rice followed suit to smash the world record and win the same 400m individual medley event for women.

Park Tae-hwan won the men's 400m freestyle to give South Korea a second gold while Zhang Lin became the first Chinese man to win an Olympic swimming medal when he grabbed the silver.

The Netherlands took an unexpected gold in the women's swimming 4x100m freestyle relay.

China came second in the medal table in Athens but aspire to outstrip the United States this time.

With 14 golds being awarded on Sunday, the hosts were well-placed to add to their first-day tally of two, with favourites in shooting, fencing, judo and diving.

Strong Chinese show

Chinese diving queen Guo Jingjing, the supermodel of the springboard, steps up to defend her 3m synchronised title.

China dominates world diving and has a reasonable chance of winning all eight golds in the discipline.

Treading a delicate line between pushing China on human rights but not embarrassing Communist leaders during their big moment, US President Bush worshipped at a Beijing church.

"God is love and no state, man or woman should fear the influence of loving religion," Bush, who has criticised China over religious freedom, said outside the Protestant church.

- Reuters