COLUMBIA, Mo. -- When Katie Hoff was less than two pool lengths into the 400-meter freestyle final yesterday, everyone at the Missouri Grand Prix - including the swimmer - sensed something special might be happening.

At each turn, as her lead widened and her time kept pace with the U.S. record, the crowd turned up the volume and the announcer grew more frantic.

Phelps cruises Michael Phelps wins the 200 butterfly in the second-best time ever, 1:53.31. PG 3D