SCOOP OLYMPIC UPDATE

SCOOP Olympic update, Saturday, 16 9 00
Article: Mathew Loh

WORLD RECORD swim highlights opening day: IAN "thorpedo' Thorpe revved up athletic efforts of the 27th Olympiad's opening day with a world record setting, gold medal netting swim which set the Sydney pool-side alight.

After crusing through his heat the human fish and 17-year-old hometown hero Thorpe demolished his opposition in the men's 400 metre freestyle to win gold in a world best 3m.40.49.

At the end of his awesome swim and nodding his head with an assurance well beyond his teenage years Thorpe took in the cheering crowd with a look of confidence that signals his first gold will not be his last.

SWISS triathlete spoils Aussie hopes in opening event: In a courageous effort of truly 'olympian' proportions Swiss triathlete Brigette McMahon upset Australian favourite and double world champ Michellie Jones to win the Sydney Olympics' first gold medal the women's triathlon.
McMahon ran fourth for most of the triathon third leg and showed extreme toughness to make her move to the lead and fight off the hometown hero's challenge in the home straight.

Jones - who before the Olympic event was unbeaten on the Sydney course - was obviously disappointed but can take solace in a silver medal and the fact she was only beaten by a great individual effort. New Zealand's representative Evelyn Williamson suffered from a hard swim and did well to eventually finish 22nd.

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