The Olympic Games are close and records begin to break as athletes compete for the spots in the sporting event of the year.

Monday was a day of mixed reactions for Natalie Coughlin, as she watched Hayley McGregory break the 100-meter backstroke record with a swim of 59.15.

And what started as an “make top 16” objective in the preliminary competition for the upcoming Olympics ended as a quest for keeping a record that she has held for eight years.

McGregory had just a couple of minutes to enjoy her notable performance, as Coughlin decided to shatter the world record once more. She reclaimed it in 59.03 and so the record’s safe with her once more.

“That’s the sign of a champion,” Coughlin’s coach told San Jose Mercury News. Coughlin was up to the challenge on Monday, as she decided to fight for the title of world record holder.

As much as McGregory tried, breaking the record only motivated Coughlin even more, and made her swim better than her original plans, which included some energy conservation.

Despite the short moment of glory, McGregory said she was happy to have had that moment, and that she believes her and Coughlin have probably been an inspiration for each other in doing special things.

Despite of the less spectacular Monday night semifinals, when neither of the two got even close to the record, both McGregory and Coughlin advanced in today’s final.

In other events, Michael Phelps dropped the 100 backstroke Monday race, but qualified for the final in the 200 freestyle, advancing second in the evening’s semifinals. Aaron Peirsol, world record holder in the men’s 100 backstroke competition, also Athens Olympic gold medalist, came up with the second-fastest time of the semi-finals.