Michael Phelps was adamant there would be no retirement U-turn this time as he was beaten to gold by a Singaporean who used to idolise him.

Roberto Pavoni and Joe Roebuck failed to make it through to the final of the 400 metres individual medley which saw defending champion Michael Phelps only just scrape through on the first morning of Olympic competition.

THREE golds, five medals in all, and a world record. Grant Hackett of Australia was the star of the World Swimming Championships, emerging from the shadow of absent countryman Ian Thorpe.