Source: Xinhua

08-12-2008 10:43

Special Report:   2008 Beijing Olympic Games

BEIJING, Aug. 12 (Xinhua) -- Aaron Peirsol of the United States broke the world record to win the men's 100m backstroke gold medal at the Beijing Olympic Games here on Tuesday.

Aaron Peirsol of the United States celebrates after winning the men's 100m backstroke final at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in the National Aquatics Center, also known as the Water Cube in Beijing, China, Aug. 12, 2008. Peirsol set a new world record and won the gold medal in the event with 52.54 seconds.
Aaron Peirsol of the United States celebrates after winning the men's 
100m backstroke final at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in the National 
Aquatics Center, also known as the Water Cube in Beijing, China, Aug. 12, 
2008. Peirsol set a new world record and won the gold medal in the event 
with 52.54 seconds.

Peirsol clocked in 52.54 seconds to break his own world record of 52.89 set up in the American trials in July.