Source: Xinhua

08-13-2008 10:23

Special Report:   2008 Beijing Olympic Games

BEIJING, Aug. 13 (Xinhua) -- Italian Pellegrini sensationally clinched the title of the women's 200-meter freestyle in a world record time here on Wednesday at the Beijing Olympic Games.

Federica Pellegrini of Italy celebrates during the final of women's 200m freestyle at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in the National Aquatics Center, also known as the Water Cube in Beijing, China, Aug. 13, 2008. 
Federica Pellegrini of Italy celebrates during the final of women's 
200m freestyle at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in the National Aquatics 
Center, also known as the Water Cube in Beijing, China, Aug. 13, 2008. 
(Xinhua/Fei Maohua)

    With all the top three swimmers in the tough final swam under the previous world record of one minute 55.45 set by the 20-year-old Pellegrini in Monday's heats, the Italian girl pushed herself froward with a strong dash to win her first Olympic gold in 1:54.82.

    Pang Jiaying, who astonishingly led the first 50 meters in a under world record split time of 27.01 seconds, grabbed a precious bronze for China in 1:55.05, 0.08 second behind runnerup Sara Isakovic of Slovenia.

    As the world record holder of the 400m freestyle, Pellegrini only managed a fifth finish in the event on Monday by clocking 4:04.56, more than three seconds off her personal best.

China's Pang Jiaying swims during the final of women's 200m freestyle at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in the National Aquatics Center, also known as the Water Cube in Beijing, China, Aug. 13, 2008. Pang grabbed bronze in 1:55.05.(Xinhua/Fei Maohua)
China's Pang Jiaying swims during the final of women's 200m freestyle 
at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in the National Aquatics Center, 
also known as the Water Cube in Beijing, China, Aug. 13, 2008. Pang 
grabbed bronze in 1:55.05.(Xinhua/Fei Maohua)

 

Editor:Wang Shuqin