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Falling fast Five world records broken on first day of swimmingLatest: Wednesday October 11, 2000 01:54 PM
SYDNEY, Australia (CNNSI.com) -- Four races, five world records. On the first day of swimming competition, American Jenny Thompson and Ian Thorpe led a charge on world records. Thompson won a record-tying sixth career gold medal, anchoring the U.S. women's 400-meter freestyle relay Saturday night, while Thorpe put his mark on the Games by easily winning the 400 freestyle. In all, the veteran and the teen-age rookie contributed to the five world marks set on an exhilarating night of swimming. Thompson cruised to the wall, clocking 3 minutes, 36.61 seconds to better the old mark of 3:37.91 by China in 1994. She ripped off her cap and goggles and celebrated with teammates Amy Van Dyken, Dara Torres and Courtney Shealy, who patted her on the head. "I don't think about medal counts," Thompson said. "It's an honor, but I'm really not focused on that at this point."
The 27-year-old Thompson and Torres became the first U.S. women swimmers to win three golds in the same event. Torres won gold on the relay in '84 and '92, while Thompson's other golds came in '92 and '96. Van Dyken sobbed and the 33-year-old Torres had tears welling in her eyes as the "Star-Spangled Banner" was played and the U.S. flag was unfurled. Van Dyken had endured two shoulder surgeries since winning four golds in 1996, while Torres is making a comeback after seven years out of the pool. The victory tied Thompson, of Dover, N.H., with Kristin Otto of Germany for most golds by a female swimmer. Thompson also surpassed speedskater Bonnie Blair for most golds by an American woman. Still alluding the Thompson, however, is her first individual gold. The 17-year-old Thorpe sliced through the water in an electrifying 3:40.59, thrilling the crowd of 17,500 -- many adoring Aussie fans -- who saluted him with chants of "Thorpey, Thorpey" after he climbed out of the pool. Thorpe lowered his previous record of 3:41.33, which he set in May at the Australian trials in the Olympic pool. Thorpe high-fived fans as he walked alone toward the medals podium and received a standing ovation as he climbed to the top spot. He waved the red-white-and-blue Australian flag above his head and then carefully examined his gold medal, turning it over in his hand -- as if he couldn't believe it was really his. He then swam the anchor leg in the Australians' 400-meter freestyle relay, helping set another world record mark -- 3:13.67 -- and putting away a tenacious U.S. team, which took silver. Michael Klim led off for the Aussies and set a world record for 100 meters in 48.18 seconds, bettering the old mark of 48.21 seconds set by Russian Alexander Popov in a time trial in June. The American men had never lost a 400 free relay in Olympic or world competition. They finished in 3:13.86, trailed by Brazil's 3:17.40. "It's pretty amazing to be in front of your home crowd," Thorpe said after his first medal. "I'm so glad I performed well in front of them. It's really a dream come true. I'm on such a high." In that first race, Massimiliano Rosolino of Italy earned silver in 3:43.40, while Klete Keller of Phoenix, Ariz., won bronze in 3:47.00 -- the Americans' first medal in the event since 1984. Chad Carvin of Laguna Hills, Calif., was sixth in 3:47.58. "He was born to swim," Rosolino said of Thorpe. "He can still get better. He's really, really strong." After touching the wall, Thorpe looked up at his time, glanced skyward, and mouthed the words "thank you." Then he pumped his fists in triumph. The only one wearing a revolutionary bodysuit that covered him neck to ankle, Thorpe was first off the blocks and extended his lead throughout his signature event. Fans waved green-and-yellow kangaroo flags and cheered wildly for the biggest star at the Sydney International Aquatic Center. Even American first daughter Chelsea Clinton and Aussie golfer Greg Norman dropped by the pool to catch "Thorpedo-mania." "I really wanted to bring it home for the crowd," Thorpe said. "I just had all this emotion inside of me when the crowd cheered when we all walked out." He had set an Olympic record in morning qualifying. The first world record of the swimming competition came before Thorpe dived in the pool. Yana Klochkova of Ukraine won the first gold, taking the 400 individual medley in a world record 4:33.59. She broke the mark of 4:34.79 set by Chen Yan of China in 1997. Chen failed to qualify for the final. Americans were shut out for the first time since the United States boycotted the 1980 Moscow Games. Kaitlin Sandeno, a 17-year-old from Lake Forest, Calif., finished fourth in 4:41.03. Maddy Crippen of Philadelphia was sixth in 4:44.63, after qualifying with the slowest time. Klochkova led the entire race. Sandeno was second before dropping to third on the backstroke leg at 200 meters. Yasuko Tajima of Japan won silver in 4:35.96, while Beatrice Caslaru of Romania took bronze in 4:37.18. World record holder Inge de Bruijn of the Netherlands led eight women into Sunday's 100 butterfly final by finishing first in the semifinals in 57.14 seconds. Australian Petria Thomas was second in 58.11. Thompson qualified third in 58.18, just ahead of Torres, who was fourth in 58.35. Domenico Fioravanti of Italy was the fastest qualifier in the 100 breaststroke semifinals. He led the way in 1:00.84, followed by Roman Sloudnov of Russia in 1:01.15. Ed Moses of Burke, Va., was third in 1:01.22. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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