Michael Phelps's bid for an unprecendented eight gold medals at the Beijing Olympics remains on track after swimming's world governing body FINA threw out an appeal against his 0.01-second win in today's 100 metres butterfly. Serbia lodged the protest, saying second-placed Milorad Cavic had actually finished first but had failed to touch the wall with enough force to trigger the timing sensor.
But at a press conference in Beijing, FINA said it was convinced that Phelps, who trailed Cavic until the touch, had hit the wall ahead of the Serb.
Australia's Andrew Lauterstein produced a magnificent swim to claim bronze.
Speaking before the decision, Cavic said he wanted the protest dropped but cast doubt over the result.
"Is Michael Phelps the winner of the gold medal? I think if we got to do it again, I would win it," he said.
Before the race, the American and Serbian were locked in an intriguing stare down only moments before stepping onto the starting blocks.
Phelps said he was also inspired by some choice words by his long-time coach Bob Brown.
"Beforehand Bob said it would be good for the sport of swimming if I lost," Phelps told Channel Seven.
"When Bob told me that I was pretty fired up, when someone says something it makes me more excited and more ready to go."
Phelps's win saw him equal fellow American Mark Spitz's 1972 record of seven gold medals at one Olympics.
He now has a chance to win an unprecedented eighth gold medal tomorrow in tomorrow's 4x100m medley relay, with Australia's relay team expected to mount the strongest challenge to Phelps's American outfit.
"It's not over yet, I really do think Australia is going to have a great relay tomorrow. I'm looking forward to it," Phelps said.
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