JONATHAN Edwards had better watch out-Bolton swimming star Anthony Howard is ready to party!

Howard and his team-mates in the 4 x 100 metres relay were among the first British competitors in action when Olympic competition finally got underway today.

But after years of training for his long awaited first ever Games appearance, Howard's involvement was all over in just 200 seconds. However, he's determined to watch most of the world's greatest sporting festival and won't be returning home until next month.

Howard celebrates his 21st birthday on September 30 and as he said today: "Where better to have a party for your 21st than Sydney.

"It's a shame some of my mates from home can't be here but I'll tell them all about it when I get back."

World triple jump record holder Edwards had dubbed Britain's swimmers 'party animals' and was subsequently forced to send a letter of apology.

Despite failing to make the final, Howard and his colleagues didn't disgrace themselves.They set a new British record when finishing third in their heat and ninth fastest overall of the 24 squads.

"It's just about the worst position we could have finished," said Howard who had shaved his head in order to try to gain a few precious extra hundredths of a second.

"We have done our best but unfortunately our best wasn't good enough. Hopefully though this can be a stepping stone to better things in the future."