Michael Phelps wins record 19th medal
Michael Phelps won his 19th Olympic medal, as we all knew he would, surpassing Soviet gymnast Larisa Latynina as the most decorated Olympian of all-time.
But it was not in the way we might have expected. Already, there had been a fourth place finish and a second. Then, at the Aquatics Centre Tuesday, he came second again, in the 200-meter butterfly, before (at last) finishing first as anchor of the 4×200 freestyle relay.
Michael Phelps swimming the anchor leg, the United States won gold in the 4×200-meter freestyle relay. France won silver with China taking bronze. This is the 19th medal of Phelps’ career, making him the most decorated Olympian of all time.
“I started smiling with about 20 meters to go,” Phelps said after the win, via Nicole Auerback of USA Today. “That’s the first time I’ve ever done that.”
Handed a sizable lead for the anchor of the 4×200, Phelps had the luxury of enjoying the trip. Coming off disappointing results in the 4×100-meter relay and the 200-meter freestyle, Ryan Lochte delivered a powerful performance in the first leg, handing Conor Dwyer a lead. Although the gap was closed on Dwyer, he built it back up before Ricky Berens hit the water. The lead continued to grow and Phelps never let the competitors get close.
