STEPHANIE Rice has become Australia’s first dual gold medallist of the Beijing Games, winning the women’s 200m individual medley and setting a world record.

Rice trailed Zimbabwe’s Kirsty Coverntry by almost half a second heading into the breaststroke leg at the halfway mark, and reduced the margin to 0.09sec with just 50m of freestyle to go.

The two then slogged it out over the last lap before the gutsy Rice prevailed by 0.14sec, winning in 2min08.45sec.

Rice added the 200m IM gold medal to the 400m IM she won on Sunday.

Australia has now won four gold medals at the Games, all by our female swimmers.

Meet the Athelete: Stephanie Rice