2004 Olympics: Swimming and Diving

Runner-up finish is best for U.S. in distance event since 1984

08:40 PM CDT on Saturday, August 21, 2004

By RACHEL COHEN / The Dallas Morning News

ATHENS, Greece – Everywhere Larsen Jensen turned in his apartment, pieces of paper hung proclaiming his goals in the 1,500-meter freestyle – even under the toilet seat.

No wonder the 18-year-old looked so elated after winning a silver medal Saturday. Jensen sliced more than 11 seconds off his American record to achieve his objective of 14 minutes, 45 seconds. He also put pressure on champion Grant Hackett of Australia, the world record holder. Jensen lurked a split-second back with 100 meters to go before losing by less than two seconds.

Hackett set an Olympic record with his mark of 14:43.40, about nine seconds off his world record.

Jensen's silver was the best American showing since the last time the United States won the race, in 1984.

"American distance swimming has been behind for so many years," Jensen said. "I hope I can raise it back to the top."

American Jenny Thompson, 31, ended her fourth and final Olympics with her 12th medal – the most by a swimmer – but no individual gold. Swimming the butterfly leg, she joined Natalie Coughlin, Amanda Beard and Kara Lynn Joyce on the runner-up 4x100 medley relay. Australia won with a world record.

Thompson finished seventh in the 50 freestyle earlier.

"It's not the medal count that's important to me but the love for the sport, the people you meet and the opportunities that arise because of swimming," Thompson said. "I think now that I'm coming to a close, I'm able to step back a little bit and look back and appreciate what the medals represent: a long career of hard work and a lot of fun and a lot of wonderful people I came across."

The American men finished with 18 medals (nine gold), their best showing since 1976. The women's 10 medals (three gold) were their fewest since 1988. The U.S. team's 28 medals were five fewer than in 2000. ... The Netherlands' Inge de Bruijn defended her title in the 50 freestyle. ... Natalie Coughlin tied a U.S. women's swimming record with five medals in one Games.