Norway's Alexander Oen SMASHES 100 metre Breaststroke Olympic Record

Oen's time of 59.41 seconds made him the second fastest swimmer of all time in the event, ahead of Japan's Olympic champion Kitajima.

"I'm happy, looks good," said the Norwegian sounding distinctly underwhelmed by his performance. "A lot of these guys are going for that Olympic gold, I'm doing my own races, going for best times, improve the whole way.

"We'll see if I make it to the final, all bit by bit."

American Hansen, the world champion who set the world record of 59.13 in August 2006 and also had the Olympic record of 1:00.01 before Oen's swim, qualified with the 10th fastest time of 1:00.36.

Kitajima, who beat his American rival to the gold in a controversial 2004 Olympic final, was second fastest in 59.52 and unconcerned.