Nathan Adrian became the first American since Matt Biondi 24 years ago to be crowned the Olympic 100m freestyle champion with a finger tip victory over world champion James Magnussen on Wednesday.
Adrian, who wasn't born when Biondi claimed the gold medal in Seoul in 1988, pipped the top-ranked Australian by one-hundredth of a second to win the gold medal in a nerve-tingling final.
Adrian prevailed in a desperate lunge for the wall to deny Magnussen in 47.52sec with the Australian heart-broken to lose by the smallest possible margin.
Adrian was ecstatic to beat Magnussen in the blue riband sprint to leave the Australian men still searching for their first gold medal in the pool at the Games after their medal-less 4x100m freestyle flop.
"I have big hands, I guess," laughed Adrian after his gripping win.
"I had to swim my race, it's difficult with a guy next to you who is coming home in low 24 (sec) next to you. The second 50 (metres) was nerve-wracking."
It was a crushing disappointment for Magnussen, who swam below his best as the lead-off swimmer for the highly-rated Australian team that bombed out of the medals in Sunday's relay.
"I did my best and it wasn't quite good enough," Magnussen said.
"I have felt a bit disappointed in the last few days, it has been a tough Olympics.
"It has made me stronger, it will make me a better swimmer and a better person.
"When you lose by such a small margin, you look back and think 'what could I have done differently?', I have no regrets though."
Canada's three-time Olympian Brent Hayden claimed bronze ahead of the new Olympic 200m freestyle champion Yannick Agnel of France.
"(Beaten by) four-hundredths of a second (for bronze), it's frustrating," Agnel said.
"I'm pretty disappointed, especially since I thought I could do it.
"I hope to finish on a high note with the 4x100m medley relay, we'll have fun and give it a go."
Brazilian world record holder Cesar Cielo finished sixth.
"I am pleased with the fact I touched first at 50," Cielo said.
"The 50 (freestyle) is the best race for me, so it was good for me but I would have preferred to be last at 50 and have a medal. This gives me confidence for the 50m freestyle."
Source: http://news.yahoo.com/usas-adrian-beats-magnussen-100-free-gold-194449295.html
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