LONDON — As Michael Phelps powered home the anchor leg of the U.S. 4x200-meter freestyle relay, he did something he had never done before underwater during a race: He started smiling with about 20 meters left. He could not help himself.
When he touched the wall in 6 minutes, 59.7 seconds, more than three seconds ahead of second-place France, Phelps had sealed not merely his first gold medal of these Olympics, he had seized history. In claiming his 19th Olympic medal in his fourth Games, Phelps surpassedthe record held by Soviet gymnast Larissa Latynina.
Graphic
Dressed for success? See world records set during each swimsuit era, from tiny briefs to “shiny suits.”
When he got out of the water, he grabbed his three teammates, wrapped his arms around them and offered a history lesson they surely didn’t need.
“I want you guys to know,” Phelps said, “I just became the most decorated athlete ever. I want to thank you guys.
“We didn’t have much to say,” said Ricky Berens, recalling the moment later. “We’re usually thanking him.”
Phelps won a record eight golds at the 2008 Summer Games in Beijing, and six golds and two bronze medals at the 2004 Summer Games in Athens. At these Games so far, he has earned two silvers and a gold, with hopes of winning three more. After 48 years, Phelps finally broke the mark held by Latynina, who won her medals (nine gold) between the 1956 and 1964 Olympics.
“There are a lot of emotions going through my head right now,” Phelps said. “I’m going to attempt to sleep tonight. I’m not sure that’s going to be possible.”
The historic evening did not start according to plan. After American Allison Schmitt won the gold in the women’s 200 freestyle, Phelps planned to make it two in a row in a race he had not lost in a world championship or Olympic Games since 2001: the 200-meter butterfly
But he finished second.
Worse, he got passed over the last 10 meters by South African Chad Le Clos, who lunged to the wall first to edge Phelps by .05 seconds and then could not contain his tears of joy.
Phelps had tied the career medals record with his finish in 1:53.01, yet found himself furious. The 200 fly had always been a special event to him. His sisters competed in the event. He made his first Olympic team in 2000 in the 200 fly, finishing fifth. When he became the youngest man to set a world record at 15 years, nine months old in 2001, it was in the 200 fly.
He held a nine-year, 60-victory streak in the event until China’s Wu Peng beat him in April 2011. This, he had always said, was a Phelps family event. So instead of celebrating the silver medal, he ripped off his swim cap and threw it in the water.
“The last one I would have liked to win,” Phelps said later. “Sure I was upset. You can tell I wasn’t happy .
When he touched the wall in 6 minutes, 59.7 seconds, more than three seconds ahead of second-place France, Phelps had sealed not merely his first gold medal of these Olympics, he had seized history. In claiming his 19th Olympic medal in his fourth Games, Phelps surpassedthe record held by Soviet gymnast Larissa Latynina.
Graphic
Dressed for success? See world records set during each swimsuit era, from tiny briefs to “shiny suits.”
When he got out of the water, he grabbed his three teammates, wrapped his arms around them and offered a history lesson they surely didn’t need.
“I want you guys to know,” Phelps said, “I just became the most decorated athlete ever. I want to thank you guys.
“We didn’t have much to say,” said Ricky Berens, recalling the moment later. “We’re usually thanking him.”
Phelps won a record eight golds at the 2008 Summer Games in Beijing, and six golds and two bronze medals at the 2004 Summer Games in Athens. At these Games so far, he has earned two silvers and a gold, with hopes of winning three more. After 48 years, Phelps finally broke the mark held by Latynina, who won her medals (nine gold) between the 1956 and 1964 Olympics.
“There are a lot of emotions going through my head right now,” Phelps said. “I’m going to attempt to sleep tonight. I’m not sure that’s going to be possible.”
The historic evening did not start according to plan. After American Allison Schmitt won the gold in the women’s 200 freestyle, Phelps planned to make it two in a row in a race he had not lost in a world championship or Olympic Games since 2001: the 200-meter butterfly
But he finished second.
Worse, he got passed over the last 10 meters by South African Chad Le Clos, who lunged to the wall first to edge Phelps by .05 seconds and then could not contain his tears of joy.
Phelps had tied the career medals record with his finish in 1:53.01, yet found himself furious. The 200 fly had always been a special event to him. His sisters competed in the event. He made his first Olympic team in 2000 in the 200 fly, finishing fifth. When he became the youngest man to set a world record at 15 years, nine months old in 2001, it was in the 200 fly.
He held a nine-year, 60-victory streak in the event until China’s Wu Peng beat him in April 2011. This, he had always said, was a Phelps family event. So instead of celebrating the silver medal, he ripped off his swim cap and threw it in the water.
“The last one I would have liked to win,” Phelps said later. “Sure I was upset. You can tell I wasn’t happy .