Stephanie Rice takes first Aussie Gold

Swimmer Stephanie Rice has taken the first Gold Medal for Australia in the 400m Women’s Individual Medley today in Beijing.

She achieved a World Record time of 4.29.45m.

Rice also brought Australia its first medal at the XXIX Olympiad.

She also becomes the first woman in history to break 4.30m for the event.

Rice told Seven, “I actually thought I turned around and saw 31 (seconds) and thought ‘oh my god that hurts so much more than doing 31 at trials’ and then I saw 29 and I was like, yow!

“My family’s here tonight so I’m so excited to go and see them!”