First gold for sensational Phelps

The American could break all sorts of records in Beijing, and he has his eye on a record eight gold medals in one Olympic Games.Phelps posted a time of 4 minutes 03.84 seconds, finishing ahead of Hungarian Lazlo Cseh and compatriot Ryan Lochte.

The 23-year-old hit the turn into the backstroke leg of the race in front, touching almost half a second under world record pace, and he was faster still by the end of the backstroke as compatriot Lochte closed the gap.But an impressive 100 breaststroke saw Phelps move clear - and even further under world record pace - and he held on to his lead to set the fastest time ever and to start his attempt to eclipse Mark Spitz's Olympic medal winning record in style.

"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."

"I'm pretty emotional," continued Phelps, whose swim was witnessed by United States President George W Bush.

"I wanted to go (for the record) but I wasn't sure if I should. But then, in the warm-up room, I kind of got these chills in my body and started getting excited.

"That's a pretty special feeling (having the President present). I waved. It was definitely pretty neat to have the President here tonight and cheer us all on."