New world records for Phelps and Hoff at U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials

(BEIJING, June 30) -- Michael Phelps and Katie Hoff smashed world records at the opening night of the U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials at Qwest Center, Omaha in the men's and women's 400m individual medley, clocking 4:5:25 and 4:31.12 minutes, respectively.

Wearing the new high-tech Speedo LZR Racer suit, Phelps -- nicknamed the "Baltimore Bullet" -- fired out of the blocks next to Ryan Lochte, his "great friend and great competitor."

The two took the lead from the start, and increased their advantage stroke by stroke until they touched the final wall at 4:5:25 and 4:06.08 minutes, respectively.

Although both beat Phelps' previous record of 4:06.22, set at the World Championships in Australia last year, Lochte's would-be record of 4:06.08 was only good enough to claim runner-up of the night.

Robert Margalis finished third, over seven seconds behind the top two.

Less than one hour later, spectators witnessed the birth of another world record.

Nineteen-year-old Katie Hoff finished in 4:31:12 minutes in the women's 400m individual medley, breaking the previous record of 4:31.46 set by Stephanie Rice at the Australian Olympic trials in March. Another rising star, 15-year-old Elizabeth Beisel finished second with a time of 4:32.87 minutes.

Larsen Jensen set an American record in the men's 400m freestyle, clocking 3:43:53 minutes, to beat Peter Vanderkaay's record of 3:43.82, which was set last month in California. Vanderkaay finished second in 3:43.73, also faster than his former record.

The Women's 100m butterfly semifinals and the men's 100m breaststroke semifinals were also held on Sunday night (June 29). Christine Magnuson finished first in the women's 100m butterfly with a time of 57.50 seconds, and Brendan Hansen topped the men's 100m breaststroke with a time of 59.24 seconds. The top four finishers from each semifinal will go on to the finals on Monday night (June 30).

The U.S Olympic Swimming Trials run June 29 -- July 6.