Phelps joins fray as medals rivalry heats up

American swimming star Michael Phelps joins the fray in Rio yesterday hoping to reverse the trend after triumphant Australia dominated the first day’s action in the Olympic pool.

Inspired by Mack Horton and Cate Campbell, Australia surged to the top of the medals table after an intense first day of competition.

That laid down the gauntlet for the Americans and now all eyes are on Phelps, 31, who made his Olympic debut in 2000 and admits it is getting no easier to push his aging frame to the limit once more in search of a potential six more titles.

His campaign is to begin in Sunday night’s 4x100m freestyle relay final where the chief rivals will again be the Australians who showed superb form Saturday.

Aussie Horton dethroned China’s Sun Yang to win the men’s 400m freestyle and then Campbell, the individual world record-holder, anchored Australia to 4x100m freestyle gold in 3min 30.65sec, the fastest time in history.

“Definitely my favorite race ever, in an Olympic final with my sister and two girls I have known since I was 12, 13 years old and a gold and a world record,” said Campbell, who swam with Emma McKeon, Brittany Elmslie and her sister Bronte.

That was one of a trio of swimming world records that marked the day as well as a first-ever Olympic gold for Vietnam that triggered rejoicing back home.

Britain’s Adam Peaty was the early star in the swimming pool.