Entering the arena like a gladiator, his face a granite mask of concentration, Phelps dominated a grudge final le Clos had billed as “Ali versus Frazier” to become the oldest individual swimming gold medallist in Olympic history at 31.
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Winner United States’ Michael Phelps celebrates with his gold medal after the men’s 200-meter butterfly during the swimming competitions at the 2016 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2016, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Le Clos had had the grace to congratulate Phelps after the race with a hug – a concession after his shadow-boxing in the American’s general direction before their semifinal the previous night‚ and Phelps’ death stare in return‚ went viral on social media.
Both Le Clos’ parents – mum Geraldine and father Bert, whose exuberant celebrations captured the public’s imagination four years ago – have cancer. For Phelps, like most Phelps things, it was a little unusual and out of place.
“Looking forward to the rest of the week and I’m not even halfway done yet”. “I had a similar expression when I encountered a moth in my house”, NBC soccer announcer Arlo White said.
After the London Olympics in 2012, he retired for 18 months.
“It’s insane what he has pulled off”, said Katie Ledecky, who won her second gold of the Games on Tuesday by holding on in the 200-meter freestyle.
Fifth after the first 50 meters, Ledecky surged to second by the halfway point and never trailed again. He initially said he wouldn’t race the 200-meter butterfly but later changed his mind.
South African Chad le Clos had shocked Phelps, the 2004 and 2008 Olympic champion, by winning gold ahead of his idol at the London 2012 Games. Now, the internet has passed the Olympic meme torch to Phelps.
Phelps posted a time of 1:53.36, which was enough to hold off a surging Masato Sakai of Japan, whose 1:53.40 was a mere four-hundredths of a second behind Phelps.
“I don’t want him to win and I’m sure he doesn’t want me to win”, said Phelps.
After Sarah Sjostrom beat Katie Ledecky in their semifinal it didn’t look as though Ledecky would be able to continue her streak of never losing an individual event in an worldwide final.
Sjostrom, who set a new world record in the 100 butterfly earlier in the week, completed the race in 1:54.08, ahead of Emma McKeon of Australia (1:54.92).
Ledecky looks like a lock to match Meyer, having already won the 200 and 400 titles and an overwhelming favorite in the 800, where she’s the world-record holder and far faster than anyone else in the world.
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“It hurt really badly”, Ledecky admitted afterwards. I was just glad to get my hand on the wall first. “It was a stressful race and I feel good now it’s over”.
