Both eclipsed Tom Dolan's world record as Phelps held off Vendt in the final freestyle strokes and won in 4 minutes 11.09 seconds.

Popov, with his graceful, change-of-pace freestyle stroke, could hardly believe he beat Biondi.

After a day of financial consulting at Smith Barney and an hourlong train ride on Metro North from Grand Central, he was ready for his "easy, open freestyle stroke."

That, too, is legal because there are no rules governing freestyle strokes or kicks.

This race consisted of eight lengths of the pool, with all eight being in the freestyle stroke.

He cited Saturday night's 200-meter individual medley, saying if he had had more balance on his freestyle stroke he would have caught more water with his hands.

I could still see his powerful freestyle stroke.

Evans has an unorthodox freestyle stroke.

Although competitors can do whatever they please during the freestyle stroke, it is not common to see someone doing dog paddle, or sidestroke during a race or competition.

International Swimming Hall of Fame national director Buck Dawson wrote: "[Ramenofsky] was the first female to swim a perfect freestyle stroke."