China dominated the start of competition at the London Olympics on Saturday amid a day of disappointment for US swimming star Michael Phelps and Britain's fancied cycling team, dpa reported. The powerful Chinese contingent picked up two swimming golds, one of them with the first world record of the Games, and took top honours in women's weightlifting and shooting. Chinese swimmer Ye Shiwen, 16, came from behind to win the women's 400 metres medley in 4 minutes 28.43 seconds, beating Stephanie Rice's record from 2008 by more than one second. Ye's gold was the second of the night for China as Sun Yang had earlier become the first male swimmer from his country to win a gold medal when he won the 400m freestyle in Olympic record time. But it was a disappointing night for Phelps, who was outclassed by US rival Ryan Lochte, who won his fourth career gold in commanding fashion in the 400m medley. Phelps, who finished fourth, said he did not find the gear he was looking for. "I'm a bit frustrated, I'm not feeling that great. I just want to put this race behind me and move on," he said. The world class swimmer, who has amassed 14 Olympic golds and two bronze medals over the years, is just two medals shy of equalling Soviet gymnast Larisa Latynina's record of 18 medals. Lochte clocked 4:05.18 seconds, streaking away from his rivals on the backstroke leg. The American seemed on course to break the world record until the 300m mark, when he tired and dropped his pace. "For four years I've been training hard. This is just my first event so I'm really happy. I'm ready to rock this Olympics," said Lochte, who is going for six gold medals at these Games. Australia's women took gold in the omen's 4x100m freestyle, ahead of the Netherlands and a disappointing US squad. The medals competition began as Britain basked in praise of the spectacular opening ceremony, featuring the country's social and musical achievements as well as a cameo role by Queen Elizabeth. Britain's hope of a golden start to the Games were dashed by Alexandr Vinokourov of Kazakhstan, who upset the favourites to win the gold medal in the men's road race. Britain's Mark Cavendish, rated the world's best sprinter, was expected to win but the host team could not reel in a series of breakaways and the 38-year-old Vinokourov out-sprinted Rigoberto Uran Uran of Colombia in the final stages. "What a way to finish your career," said the 38-year-old Vinokourov, who served a two-year ban for blood doping after a positive test in 2007 The first gold of the Games went to world champion Yi Siling of China, who was mobbed and even shed a tear after claiming victory in the women's 10 metres air rifle shooting. "I felt like a movie star," said a delighted Yi who was mobbed by Chinese journalists and broke into tears after she finally realised what she had achieved. China was not so lucky on the men's side with the 2008 winner Pang Wei finishing fourth in the 10m air pistol behind gold medalist Jin Jong Oh of South Korea. China's fourth gold of the day went to favourite Wang Mingjuan in the women's weightlifting 48kg category. The four times world champion was competing in her first Olympic Games after missing out in 2004 and 2008. In fencing, Italy swept the women's foil, with Elisa di Francisca defeating compatriot Arianna Errigo in the final. Valentina Vezzali had to settle for bronze after failing to become the first woman in Olympic history to win four gold medals in a row in the same event. Italy won another gold in archery, while Brazil's Sarah Menezes and Arsen Galstyan of Russia triumphed against superior opponents to win judo golds.
