ATHENS, Greece - Michael Phelps, seeking his sixth medal of the Athens Olympics, advanced in the 200-meter individual medley today with a conservative swim.

The world record holder and heavy favorite for gold, Phelps was second-quickest with a preliminary time of 2 minutes, 0.01 seconds.

The 19-year-old from Baltimore didn't get to sleep until 2 a.m. after helping the Americans win gold over Australia in the 800 freestyle relay.

"There's a lot of emotion around from last night," Phelps said. "I'm a little tired, but I'll get a nap and I'll be better tonight."

Phelps remained on track to win his third individual gold - and fourth overall - to go with the two bronze medals he won in the first four days of the swimming competition. His personal haul is the largest so far of any athlete in Athens.

Laszlo Cseh of Hungary was the only qualifier under 2 minutes, leading the way in 1:59.50. George Bovell of Trinidad was third in 2:00.65.

Ryan Lochte, of Daytona Beach, Fla., was 10th in 2:01.41 to make the evening semifinal. Massimiliano Rosolino of Italy, the defending Olympic champion, was 11th in 2:01.56.

Lochte swam a leg on the winning 800 free relay Tuesday. Anchor Klete Keller just touched out Aussie Ian Thorpe at the wall in the second-closest finish in Olympic history.

"It was a little rough this morning, but I got a lot left," said Lochte.

The Americans' relay victory excited the rest of their teammates.

"It definitely makes the team pumped up, fired up, ready to go," said Amanda Beard, who qualified in the 200 breaststroke.

The U.S. women advanced to this evening's 800 freestyle relay final with the fastest time of 8:00.81. Britain qualified second and Australia third.

Lindsay Benko led off for the Americans, then Rhi Jeffrey briefly dropped them to second before Carly Piper got them back in first.

Rachel Komisarz brought it home with the fastest 200 split of 1:59.25, which could keep her on the team for the final.

The U.S. coaches won't announce their relay lineup until an hour before the evening final.

Jenny Thompson, who anchored the winning 800 free relay teams in 1996 and 2000, was unlikely to be part of the team this time. The 31-year-old has been training at shorter distances, so the chance to win her record 12th Olympic career medal probably will have to wait until later in the meet.