One down, seven to go. Michael Phelps (USA) blew the opposition away with a world record of 4:03.84 in the 400m medley, his first final on a trajectory to the greatest single sporting performance in history.
Laszlo Cseh (HUN) shattered the European record to take silver in 4:0616, with Ryan Lochte (USA) claiming bronze in 4:08.09.
Phelps New WR: 54.92 ; 1:56.49; 3:07.05; 4:03.84.
Former WR splits: 55.38; 1:57.32; 3:08.45; 4:05.25.
"I told Bob (Bowman, Phelps' coach) that this would be my last 400 IM, so I've got to go out there and get a good time," said Phelps. "And this was a good time. I wanted to get 4.03, to be honest I didn't feel so good. I knew it was going to need a strong breaststroke when we all turned together at the wall. Then Ryan turned dead even at 200m, so I knew I was going to have to overpower them."