American swimmer Ryan Lochte has claimed the 400 metres individual medley gold medal at the London Olympics, eclipsing a field including compatriot Michael Phelps, who missed a medal.
Lochte, who won bronze behind Phelps at the Beijing Games four years ago, captured the first swimming gold medal on offer at the London Games.
Lochte clocked 4m05.18s with Brazil's Thiago Pereira taking the silver medal and Japan's Kosuke Hagino winning bronze.
Australian Thomas Fraser-Holmes finished seventh.
Phelps was aiming to become the first male swimmer to win the same event at three consecutive Olympics but came fourth behind Lochte in Saturday night's final.
NZN