Barry Murphy completed his Olympic schedule, finishing a creditable second in his 50m freestyle heat.

Michael Phelps’ quest for swimming immortality became a reality on Sunday morning as the United States’ 4x100m medley relay team handed him his historic eighth gold medal of the Beijing Games.

Michael Phelps became the most successful Olympic athlete of all time by claiming the 10th and 11th gold medals of his amazing career.

Australian world record holder Eamon Sullivan qualified quickest for the semi-finals of the 100 metres freestyle as all the major names progressed safely through to the last 16.

Michael Phelps claimed a record seventh gold medal at the FINA World Championships in Melbourne to stake his claim to swimming immortality.