Beijing Olympic Games

Updated: 2008-08-14 11:50:48

Gold medalist Liu Zige racing in the pool (Photo credit: Xinhua)

(BEIJING, August 14) — Liu Zige of China thrilled the home crowd at the National Aquatics Center with China’s first Swimming gold medal at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, winning the Women’s 200m Butterfly in a world record 2:04.18.

Liu Zige smiles after winning gold in 200m Butterfly (Photo credit: Xinhua)

Liu, who had qualified fastest for the final in an Asian record of 2:06.25, lowered the old world mark by 1.22 seconds.

It was a double celebration for the home crowd, who has seen plenty of Chinese success in Diving but little in the Swimming pool, as Jiao Liuyang finished behind her teammate to take the silver medal. Her time of 2:04.72 was also under the old world record mark.

Former world record holder Jessicah Schipper of Australia, who recovered from a poor heat swim to qualify second fastest for the final, took the Chinese pair out hard and early and was 1.12 seconds under her own world mark at the 100m.

But she tired in the second half of the race and was overtaken in the final 50m, having to make do with the bronze medal in a time of 2:06.26.

Defending Olympic champion Otylia Jedrzejczak of Poland finished fourth in 2:07.02.