United States' Michael Phelps displays his gold medal for the men's 100-meter butterfly swimming final at the Aquatics Centre in the Olympic Park during the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Friday, Aug. 3, 2012. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
American swimmer Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian of all time, won his 21st medal Friday at the London Games, as the United States ruled the pool and excitement built toward a weekend of fierce track and field competition.
Phelps closed his individual career by claiming the gold in the 100-meter butterfly, while 17-year-old Missy Franklin grabbed her third gold medal of the Games in the 200-meter backstroke.
Meanwhile, Briton Jessica Ennis thrilled a raucous home crowd with a world-best time for a heptathlete in the 100-meter hurdles. Lithuania's Austra Skujyte, however, set an Olympic record in the shot put to take the overall lead in the seven-event competition.
Ethiopia's seven-time world champion Tirunesh Dibaba destroyed the field in the women's 10,000-meters, finishing nearly six seconds ahead of Kenyan Sally Kipyego and a full 10 seconds ahead of the reigning world champion, Kenyan Vivian Cheruiyot.
South Korean Oh Jin-hyek won his country's first individual archery gold medal.
Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt defends his 100-meter title Sunday, and his 200-meter crown four days later.
Audiences the world over witnessed history Friday, watching as several countries fielded female athletes for the first time. Saudi Arabia's Wojdan Ali Seraj Abdulrahim Shahrkhani was greeted with applause when she took to the mat in the women's judo competition, becoming the first Saudi woman ever to compete in the games.
Noor Hussain al-Malki made history as the first woman to represent Qatar in athletics, competing in the women's 100-meter sprint. She appeared to injure her leg and did not finish.
Afghanistan's only female athlete - Tahmina Kohistani - also ran in the 100 meters, finishing last, but running a personal best of 14.42 seconds. Iraq's Dana Abdul Razak placed second in her women's 100-meter heat, advancing to the next round.
Day 7 of the Competition
1/10The Olympic flame burns while athletes compete in the men's 400m hurdles heats.
Photos from the seventh day of the 2012 Olympic Games in London.
2/10Netherlands' Ellen van Dijk takes a look around at the track cycling events at the Velodrome.
Photos from the seventh day of the 2012 Olympic Games in London.
3/10Belarus' Iryna Kulesha lifts on the women's 75kg group A weightlifting competition.
Photos from the seventh day of the 2012 Olympic Games in London.
4/10British fans watch Richard Davison of Great Britain compete with his horse Artemis during the equestrian dressage.
Photos from the seventh day of the 2012 Olympic Games in London.
5/10Balazs Baji, an athlete from Hungary, stands on his tiptoes to write on the Olympic truce wall at the Athletes' Village in the Olympic Park.
Photos from the seventh day of the 2012 Olympic Games in London.
6/10Germany's Phillipp Wende and Karl Schulze celebrate after winning the gold medal for the men's quadruple rowing sculls.
Photos from the seventh day of the 2012 Olympic Games in London.
7/10Natallia Dobrynska (R) of Ukraine, leads the field as she competes in her women's heptathlon 100m hurdles heat.
Photos from the seventh day of the 2012 Olympic Games in London.
8/10Gold medalist Teddy Riner, of France, holds his bouquet at the victory ceremony for the men's +100kg judo event.
Photos from the seventh day of the 2012 Olympic Games in London.
9/10USA's Sydney Leroux celebrates scoring against New Zealand in their women's quarter final soccer match.
Photos from the seventh day of the 2012 Olympic Games in London.
10/10Egypt's Khalil K Abir Abdelrahman is assisted after failed attempt on the women's group A weightlifting competition.
Photos from the seventh day of the 2012 Olympic Games in London.
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