ATHENS, Greece (AP) -- Rudy Garcia of the United States broke the world record in the 200-meter individual medley Sunday, one five swimming world records to fall on the first day of heats at the Athens Paralympics.

Garcia finished in 2 minutes 42.20 seconds, bettering by 3.62 seconds the 12-yearold mark set by Dutchman Joop Stokkel at the Barcelona Paralympics.

World records also were set in the 100 butterfly by Australians Sam Bramham (1:04.24) and Ben Austin (1:05.79). South Africa's Natalie de Toit beat her own mark in the 100 butterfly in 1:07.69, and Brazil's Clodoaldo Silva broke the record in the men's 100 freestyle by almost three seconds, finishing in 1:19.36.

The Paralympics opened Friday and end Sept. 28