I've said all along I wanted one gold medal and I've got that Michael Phelps Thorpe wins showdown Feature: A race to remember

Michael Phelps refused to be downbeat after finishing third in the men's Olympic 200m freestyle final.

The American's dream of emulating Mark Spitz's seven golds is over after he finished behind Ian Thorpe and Pieter van den Hoogenband.

But Phelps, 19, said: "How can I be disappointed when I swam in a field with the two fastest 200m freestylers of all time and was right in there?

"It's an honour winning any Olympic gold - I am already successful."

World record holder Thorpe set a new Olympic best with a time of one minute 44.71 seconds - the third fastest in history.

Phelps' ambition to win eight golds began in spectacular fashion when he won the 400m individual medley relay on Saturday.

PHELPS FEATS in ATHENS 400m individual medley: Gold 4x100 freestyle relay: Bronze 200m freestyle: Bronze Still to come: 200m individual medley 200m butterfly 4x100m medley relay 100m butterfly 4x200m free relay

But his hopes for a second gold were dashed when the USA 4x100 relay team could only finish third in the finals on Sunday.

But despite the setbacks, Phelps has no regrets about attempting Spitz's record.

"I had an opportunity and I tried to do something that he did, but I didn't," he said. "When I started to swim I never thought I would have an opportunity to go for seven.

"But I've said all along I wanted one gold medal and I've got that. That was my goal and I've achieved it.

"You are an Olympic champion forever, no one can take it away from you.

"Trying to go for seven was something I will remember throughout my swimming career."

Phelps is back in action on Tuesday when he goes for gold again in the 200m butterfly final.

Parry takes Phelps' scalp

He was beaten into second in the first semi-final on Monday by British swimmer Stephen Parry.