Olympic rookie Rice snatches second gold with world record again
13/8/2008 18:12
Australian Olympic rookie Stephanie Rice came from behind to claim her
second victory with world record again in the women's 200-meter individual
medley final in Beijing today.
With American Natalie Coughlin and Kirsty
Coventry from Zimbabwe changed the leading position in the first 150 meters, the
20-year-old Rice burst out in the final meters to grab the title in two minutes
8.45 seconds, slicing 0.47 second off the previous world record set by herself
at the Australian Olympic trials this March.
"It was such a tough race. I
really struggled getting in. I am so glad I put it out there this morning," said
Rice. "It's really good being next to Natalie. She pushed me through the first
100 meters. And Kirstyswam amazing as always."
Coughlin qualified for the
final with the fourth fastest result in yesterday's semifinals and completed the
opening lap in butterfly first in 27.29. But the 26-year-old was a little bit
off the pace since powerful rivals Rice and Coventry began speeding up, finally
taking the bronze in 2:10.34 after defending her Olympic title in yesterday's
women's 100-meter backstroke.
Swimming next to Coughlin in Lane 5, the
versatile Rice chased the world record mark vehemently, then surpassed top
qualifier Coventry by last stroke.
Kirsty Coventry, who turns 25 next month,
led the race after the first turn, but faded a little in the last strokes to
touch the wall 0.14 second behind Rice.
This is the third silver medal for
Coventry as the national treasure of Zimbabwe finished second both in the
400-meter individual medley and the 100-meter backstroke event.
"It was good.
I am a little disappointed. It was so close," said Coventry. "I tried to get the
gold on that. But I knew coming into it will be a real tough competition. I am
so proud to be swimming with the fastest women in the world. Three women under
the world record pace, it's just unbelievable."
Rice beat top favorite Katie
Hoff from the United States in the 400-meter individual medley, pocketing her
first Olympic gold Sunday with a new world record on Sunday. But the four-lap
event seemed tougher.
"I guess the last 50 was a great challenge. We were
both battling on that. But that's sort of what the Olympics is about. It's about
the challenge and I was trying not to look over. I was just trying to close my
eyes and concentrate on all the hard sessions we've done and I was really just
focusing on my own race."Rice said.
According to Coventry, she can only pin
gold winning hope on her last event of the 200-meter backstroke.
"I still
have one more race," said the Olympic champion in the event four years
ago.
Xinhua
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