The Beijing Olympics is drawing attention. Certainly to the water portion of it, as Michael Phelps begins his journey for an all-time record of gold. He has won his first of eight appearances. Probably the only meet weighing on him more will be the last, should he achieve wins in the next six. Now that the first has gone into the win column, that monkey is off his back.

It wasn't much of a monkey. After all, Michael has won every 400m since 2002. The only one that breaks his world record times in the event is, well, himself. This event was no exception. Anew world record, having shaved 1.41 seconds off his previous record time. Unheard of in a 400m swimming event.

The tune of the "Star-Spangled Banner" echoed out over the racing pond. President Bush, in the stands, waved his own American flag as the big one went up over the pool. And then, just as the song was getting to the part about the land of the free - the music stopped.

Michael Phelps smiled, as it was the only glitch in a picture-perfect Sunday morning. Phelps not only won the 400-meter individual medley, the first gold medal in his historic quest for eight, one better than Mark Spitz in 1972, but in doing so smashing the world record.

Phelps touched in 4:03.84, nearly a second and a half faster than the 4:05.25 he himself had gone June 29 at the U.S. Olympic Trials in Omaha, Neb.

Laszlo Cseh of Hungary, the bronze medalist in the 400 IM in Athens in 2004, won silver Sunday, in 4:06.16.

American Ryan Lochte finished third in 4:08.09.