Phelps Smashes Thorpe Record, Americans Take Gold in Melbourne

Ian Thorpe may be rethinking his retirement about now.

Yesterday at the World Swimming Championships, Michael Phelps smashed Thorpe's world record in the 200-meter freestyle, taking the gold medal in Melbourne waters.

Said Phelps' teammate Aaron Peirsol: "That was probably the single most incredible record in the books. He put it to rest."

Pieter van den Hoogenband of the Netherlands, whom Phelps topped by 2.42 seconds, agreed: "I thought this 200 freestyle record by Ian would last for 10, maybe 20 years. I was also next to him (Thorpe) when he set that record. But with somebody swimming this fast, I was more a spectator than a big challenge for Phelps."

Peirsol also set a world record, in the 100-meter backstroke, as did Natalie Coughlin in the same event.

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Aquamen: Alexandre Despatie Scores Perfect 10 in Quebec

Despatie returned to the pool following a neck injury that has kept him from competition since May 2006. He took the gold medal last weekend after scoring a perfect ten and three additional 9.0s at the Canadian World Championship Trials.

And just for kicks, American Aaron Peirsol was showing fine form yesterday at the preliminaries at the 2007 Toyota Southern California Grand Prix of Swimming in Long Beach, California.

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