INDIANAPOLIS - Four world records and 11 championships records in 10 events brought the seventh edition of the FINA World Championship to a climax. 550 swimmers from 97 countries took part.

Seventeen years ago, then 14 year old Jenny Thompson, made her international swimming debut. In 1987, right here in Indianapolis, she won gold at the Pan American Games in the 50 free. Tonight she ends her career, the most decorated Olympic swimmer in history, the most decorated World Championship swimmer and again in the 50 free. In honour of her extraordinary accomplishments as a swimmer, role model, daughter, and person, she was awarded a specially made FINA World Swimming Championships' doctor's coat emblazoned with "Dr. Thompson". It was a well deserved tribute to one of the greatest swimmers in history.

Men's 100 Free
Salim Iles (ALG) was out first in 22.52 and led heading into the final turn. Jason Lezak (USA) was pushing hard, but it didn't look as if he'd catch Iles until the last stroke when Lezak reached for the wall to out-touch Iles, 47.97 to 48.07. "It was awesome," said Lezak of his win. "It was a tough heat; I really buckled down as the end when it hurt real bad, and just went to the wall. I am definitely exhausted. I didn't train a whole lot coming into this and it's taking its toll."

In a race strategy not adopted by most sprinters, Rick Say had the fastest 2nd 50 of any of the field by almost a full second. He was out last at the 50 (in 24.68), but came home in 24.68 for the bronze medal. His time of 48.38 was a best time and earned him his third medal of the competition. "I went a best time last night; I went a best time tonight. I cam in third in a race that I am just learning to swim. I'm a body-length behind these guys in the 50, so I'm moving on them in the last 50 metres. Coming third in the world is pretty good. It's really tough to get mentally focused for this race because of only having six weeks in between the Olympics. I met Peyton Manning and Larry Bird in the last couple of days, and I'm swimming best times, so I can't be any happier."

Women's 50 Back
Haley Cope (USA) had a great start, pulling up so high in the start position her head touches the bar on the block. She lead off the 25 wall, but Chang Gao's (CHN) turnover was much faster and it looked like she had caught Cope at the flags. With two strokes to go, Cope lunged for the wall gliding in just quick enough to out-touch Gao who took an extra stroke. The pair finished first and second in 27.49 and 27.55. Sophie Eddington (AUS) picked up the bronze in 28.17.

"A world record would have been great," said Cope. "It's been ever better competing at home. We travel to many other countries and everyone roots so strong for Australia, China. It's nice to be home and have people yell 'Go USA!'"

Men's 200 Back
Whoever said the Olympians are out of shape didn't tell Aaron Peirsol (USA). Despite the slightly slower swimming of most athletes who competed in Athens, Peirsol led from the first 50, where he flipped under world record pace. He continued to put more distance on the field before breaking his own world record in 1:50.52, bettering his swim from last March of this year. Matt Welsh (AUS) also put up a good swim to earn silver in 1:52.54 followed by Arkady Vyatchanin (RUS) in 1:54.20 for the bronze.

"I wanted to swim here and do the best I could," said Peirsol, "and I think I did that. I certainly knew I had a lot of room for improvement. My walls have also improved. My season isn't over until this meet is done, so that is how I look at it. Going into this I had a pretty good inclination that I could do something like that. It's so easy when the crowd is behind you."

Women's 200 Breast
Brooke Hanson (AUS) left nothing to chance tonight in going for her sixth gold of the championships. She took the race out first at the 50, but Amanda Beard (USA) pulled even at the half way mark. By the 150, Hanson had the lead again with Mirna Jukic (AUT) and Sarah Katsoulis (AUS) right on their shoulders. Beard was swimming for her first medal of the championships, but Hanson's mental edge and physical readiness, were superior tonight as she won her sixth gold in a best time of 2:21.68 to Beard's 2:22.53. Hanson's swim makes her the most decorated gold medallist at a short course World Champs and she received a standing ovation from the crowd after being awarded her medal. In for third spot: Sarah Katsoulis with a 2:22.97.

"I just went out there and wanted to show the world that I want to be counted for," said Hanson. "I wanted to create history tonight. What I've achieved this week is amazing. It hasn't sunk in yet, and I don't think it's going to."

Men's 100 IM
It was the battle of the short course swim stars: Thomas Rupprath (GER) vs Peter Mankoc (SLO). They flipped even at the 50, but Mankoc had the better underwater pullout. At the 75 turn, Mankoc's one stroke lead turned into two and Mankoc won in a new championship record of 52.66. "I wanted to go the world record since yesterday, and the first 75 I ran full strength, and I didn't know I was that fast," said Mankoc. "I'm very satisfied."

Rupprath, the world record holder, had to be content with the silver with his time of 53.35. In for bronze was 200 IM winner Thiago Pereira (BRA) with a 53.75.

Women's 100 Fly
Competitors in this event as well as the sprint free for almost a decade, Martina Moravcova (SVK) and Jenny Thompson (USA) shared one last fight. Moravcova had the edge heading into the final turn and was able to put a stroke on Thompson to win in 57.38. Rachel Komisarz (USA) got Thompson at the finish to win silver in 57.85 to Thompson's 58.13. Afterwards, Martina and Jenny shared a hug and cherished the last moment they would be competitors. "I have been getting a lot of 'congratulations on your career' from other swimmers," said Jenny. "After the race, Martina said, 'I am really going to miss you and miss racing you.' Martina is a tremendous competitor and I understand what a rare opportunity it is to compete like that. I will miss racing the most."

Men's 50 Breast
Brendan Hansen (USA) made it three for three, sweeping all the breast events here in Indy. His win of 26.86 was a best time and the seventh fastest of all time. In for silver was Brenton Rickard (AUS) tying his best of 27.09. Stefan Nystrand (SWE) picked up his second medal of the meet in winning bronze in 27.28. Mark Warnecke (GER) the 34 year old Doctor and former world record holder in this event, was 5th in 27.40.

It was three silvers for Rickard, who was nonetheless pleased with his competition. "I am pretty happy. That was definitely my best time and that's always nice. To get three silvers behind Brendan Hansen in a meet, I'm pretty proud of myself. I am happy with the way it all turned out."

Women's 50 Free
Marleen Veldhuis (NED) swam the closest to her best and was tonight's winner in 24.41 over Libby Lenton (AUS) who earned silver in 24.54. The world record holder, Therese Alshammar (SWE) was over a second off her best for the bronze in 24.63. "I thought there were eigth people who had a chance to win," said a very happy Veldhuis. "I thought the field was very close to each other. It's been great to swim in front of so many people."

Jenny Thompson's last international swim did not earn her a medal, but her 24.76 was just off her best time, and certainly a memorable swim for her and her fans. Jenny stayed in the pool for a moment after the end. "I was trying to enjoy my last race, and not let it slip away without taking a moment to think about it and take in the fans. I have had a great day. I was very honoured when I heard FINA wanted to recognize me and my career. It was a very special moment. My events could have been better, it would have been to cliche to end on a gold medal."

Men's 200 Fly
James Hickman (GBR) has won this event in the last four short course world championships and he didn't let another chance at the history books slip him by. James was out well ahead and finished in 1:53.41 ahead of Ioan Gherghel (ROM) who won silver in 1:54.06. In for bronze was Peng Wu (CHN) in 1:54.51.

Clearly Hickman, who is also the championship record holder, is the world's best 200 flyer in the short course pool now that he has won this event a record five times. "I feel like I am on clouds right now. It was absolutely the most nerve-racking race of my career. The pressure just piles on after you win the first one. It's easy to win the first one because you're the hunter and you're going out to kill the prey. But when you're the one being hunted by all those boogers behind you, it's hard. I'm going to retire at the end of this year. It's been a great year, but I want to stop at the top and that's what I'm doing right now. December is going to be the last time I race."

Men's 1500 Free
Yuri Prilukov (RUS) was out well ahead of the field, splitting a 7:48.36 at the 800 before winning his second gold of the championships in 14:39.16. Prilukov was fourth at the Olympics in this event and his best time is fourth all time. In for silver was Simone Ercoli (ITA) with a 14:53.89. The battle for bronze went to Dragos Coman (ROM) over Oussama Mellouli (TUN) 14:56.74 to 14:57.57. Oussama is one of the hardest working swimmers at the championships. He won the 400 IM, placed ninth in the 400 free, and won bronze in the 200 IM, before picking up fourth spot in the 1500. While many of the world's best are taking it easy after Athens, Oussama is one tough swimmer.

Women's 200 Free
Another American woman was busy celebrating her last moment swimming in front of the hometown crowd. Lindsay Benko (USA) grew up right here in Indiana and was supported all week by an adoring crowd. While she originally wanted to end her career here in Indy, her fast swimming might keep her around a little while longer. The race was tight all through the 200, but Benko, like Thompson, didn't have the clich