RIO DE JANEIRO _ American Ryan Murphy narrowly missed a world record as he took gold in the 100-meter backstroke Monday at the Olympic Aquatics Stadium.
Murphy finished in 51.97 seconds, three-hundredths of a second off the record set by Aaron Peirsol in 2009. The time set a new Olympic record.
It is the sixth consecutive gold medal for the U.S. in the event.
David Plummer of the U.S., who entered the Games with the world's fastest time this year, finished third.
