Hoff into 400IM final behind team mate Beisel

BEIJING (Reuters) - American world record holder Katie Hoff banished any lingering memories of Athens poolside panic on Saturday with a place in her first Olympic 400 meters individual medley final.

The world champion, who could equal East German Kristin Otto's 1988 record of six golds at a single Games, faces tough opposition in Sunday's final from Australian Stephanie Rice.

Hoff will also have to overcome 15-year-old team mate Elizabeth Beisel, the youngest member of the U.S. squad, who was fastest with a time of 4:34.55 compared to Hoff's 4:34.63.

Hoff, the junior member of the U.S. team at the Athens Games, failed to get through the heats four years ago and was so overcome by nerves she vomited on the poolside.

The 19-year-old has since won the 400 individual medley at two successive world championships.

"It was definitely on my mind a little bit, It can't not be," said Hoff of the Athens' embarrassment. "So to get back and swim a start race, I'm happy.

"I had nerves a little bit, but not too bad."

Beisel expected to be more nervous: "I'm sure I'll be jittery tomorrow. It was a little nerve racking but I'm used to that now," she said.

Rice went through in 4:35.11, equal third fastest with Italian Alessia Filippi.

The Australian, who briefly held the world record in March, won her heat ahead of China's Li Xuanxu, who qualified sixth.

"I was very nervous and very excited at the same time, it was good to get rid of the butterflies," said Rice.

"I'm not too sure if it will take a world record, I'm not focusing on that, I'm focusing on the process and looking forward to the challenge."

Ukraine's2004 Olympic champion Yana Klochkova is not defending her title in Beijing.

(Editing by Greg Stutchbury)

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