Phelps' golden record start sets Games alight

BEIJING- Swimming superstar Michael Phelps launched his quest for Olympic Games immortality on Sunday by smashing his own world record in winning the first of a potential eight gold medals.

Phelps sparked an American charge which saw them win five medals in the pool for a Games total of eight including two gold.

But China were steadily building a lead at the head of the medal table winning three further events to have five gold ahead of South Korea's three as the weather broke in Beijing and torrential rain disrupted tennis and archery.