Phelps (left) edged out Crocker (Getty Images).
HIGH FIVE FOR PHELPS
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American sensation Michael Phelps claimed his fifth gold medal of the
Olympics with a storming finish in the 100m butterfly.
Phelps was only fifth at the turn as team-mate and world record holder Ian
Crocker led the way, but the 19-year-old gradually clawed his way into
contention and overtook Crocker with the final stroke.
His time of 51.25 broke the Olympic record he set in Thursday's heats, Crocker claiming
silver and Andriy Serdinov of the Ukraine taking the bronze.
Phelps, who also has two bronze medals to go with his five golds and could claim
another for the 4x100m medley relay, said: "That race was like a dream
come true. The strategy was to relax in the first 50m and bring it home as fast
as I could.
"I just tried to finish as strong as I could, the last 15m I started getting
a little tired and I was trying to get my hand on the wall as fast as possible.
Having a long torso I guess helps!"
Phelps also revealed he would not race in Saturday's medley relay final. Instead Crocker will swim the butterfly leg.
However, should the USA win, Phelps will still win a sixth gold as he helped the team qualify in Friday's heats.
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