At the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece, American swimmer Michael Phelps delivered a standout performance in the men's 100 meter butterfly event. This competition, held at the Olympic Aquatic Centre, saw Phelps not only secure a gold medal but also establish a new Olympic record. His victory was particularly notable as he edged out a formidable teammate, the then-world record holder, by a mere four-hundredths of a second, marking a significant
moment in Olympic swimming history.
The Road to Gold: Semifinals and Record Setting
Before his final triumph, Phelps demonstrated his exceptional form during the semifinals. The Olympic record for the men's 100 meter butterfly had already been broken once in the semifinals by Ukraine's Andriy Serdinov, who posted a time of 51.74 seconds. This time surpassed the previous record set by Australia's Geoff Huegill four years prior in Sydney. However, Serdinov's record was short-lived.
In a subsequent semifinal heat, Michael Phelps entered the pool and further lowered the Olympic record. He stopped the clock at 51.61 seconds, shaving 0.13 seconds off Serdinov's newly established mark. This performance in the semifinals set the stage for an exciting final, showcasing Phelps' readiness to compete at the highest level and his ability to consistently improve his times under pressure.
The Tense Final and Phelps' Fifth Gold
The final race of the men's 100 meter butterfly was a closely contested event, featuring some of the world's top swimmers. Michael Phelps, representing the United States, faced off against his teammate Ian Crocker, who was the reigning world record holder in the event. The competition was fierce, with both American swimmers pushing each other to their limits.
Ultimately, Phelps emerged victorious, claiming his fifth gold medal of the 2004 Games. His winning time was an impressive 51.25 seconds, which not only secured him the gold but also set a new Olympic record, further improving upon his own semifinal performance. The margin of victory was incredibly narrow, with Phelps finishing just 0.04 seconds ahead of Crocker. This close finish underscored the high level of competition and the precision required to win at the Olympic level. Ukraine's Andriy Serdinov, who had also set an Olympic record in the semifinals, earned the bronze medal with a European record time of 51.36 seconds, highlighting the global talent present in the event.
The Venue and Event Schedule
The men's 100 meter butterfly event was a key part of the swimming program at the 2004 Summer Olympics. All swimming events, including this one, were held at the Olympic Aquatic Centre, a state-of-the-art facility located within the Athens Olympic Sports Complex in Athens, Greece. The competition spanned two days, with the heats and semifinals taking place on August 19, 2004. The highly anticipated final race, where Phelps secured his gold medal and set the Olympic record, was held the following day, on August 20, 2004. This schedule allowed for a progression of competition, building excitement towards the medal events.
