One more mark for Thorpe

Australia8217;s Geoff Huegill also set a world record in the 50 metres butterfly. He clocked 23.60 seconds to better the previous mark of 23.68 recorded by Russia8217;s Denis Pankratov in August 1996.

But his record-breaking performance was overshadowed by the remarkable Thorpe. The Sydney teenager swam well within himself through the first 150 metres in Sunday8217;s race before unleashing a devastating burst of speed on the final length. He was 0.17 outside his old world record at the three quarter-point but still managed to wipe almost one-third of a second off that time when he touched the wall.

Huegill is hoping to make the Olympics in the 100 butterfly along with Australia8217;s world record holder Michael Klim.

Petria Thomas won the women8217;s 100 butterfly final in 58.43, beating Susan O8217;Neill who had won the event for the past 10 years by 0.28. Both qualified for the Sydney Olympics.

8220;It8217;s been a long time coming,8221; said Thomas who has fought her way back from shoulder surgery after finishing second behind O8217;Neill in the 200 butterfly at both the 1998 Atlanta Olympics and 1998 Perth World Championships.

Barcelona bronze medallist Phil Rogers qualified for his third Olympics by winning the men8217;s 100 breaststroke final in 1:02.59, 0.04 in front of Commonwealth champion Simon Cowley.

Thorpe8217;s coach Doug Frost said he also believed the 17-year-old could win at any distance but was against him tackling the 1,500 because it might burn him out. 8220;I know he8217;s capable of going faster. This is probably not the end of it,8221; Frost said.

8220;But I feel that if you want to go down in history as being one of the greatest swimmers of all time, you8217;ve really got to do it at the Olympics. You8217;ve really got to produce it at two or three if you want to stamp yourself as the swimmer of the century.8221;

Despite breaking the 200 freestyle world record Thorpe still has to qualify for the Olympics by finishing either first or second in Monday8217;s final. He has already qualified for the 400 metres by winning Saturday8217;s final and is also hoping to make it in the 100 and possibly the 1,500.

8220;I place great expectations on myself,8221; Thorpe said. 8220;I intend to swim at three Olympics and swim well there. By 2008, by my terms, that would make me a very old man.8221;

Huegill said he did not think he had been 8220;going that fast8221; on his record swim. 8220;It8217;s a bit of a confidence booster for me to get one race out of the way and have a solid hit-out.8221;