Michael Phelps beat his rival countryman Ryan Lochte in the 200m individual medley, thereby becoming the first swimmer to win four successive Olympic gold medals in one event as well as his 22nd gold medal.
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The hoplitodromos involved running from one end of the Olympic stadium to the other, and back, whilst wearing bronze armour and carrying a sword and shield. “It’s very special, being able to win 22 Olympic gold medals”. Phelps’ 15 tops Soviet gymnast Larisa Latynina. Whose record did he break?
Throughout Phelps’ comeback for Rio, he has insisted emphatically that the 2016 Games would be the last competition of his career.
In a show of sportsmanship and solidarity, Phelps, le Clos, and Cseh – standing in that order – held hands and took the podium together for their medal ceremony. The fact that he is winning gold medals in every event he swims is mind-boggling, and that’s especially true when he dominates a race like he did Thursday.
The achievements of Leonidas, a runner who competed between 164 and 152 BC, were recorded by Philostratus the Athenian and Pausanias who told of the his 12 triumphs, according to the official Olympics website. “It’s been a hell of a career”, Phelps was quoted as saying. The second-most decorated US men’s swimmer in history just turned 32 years old and said Friday he’s taking a break from the sport, although he didn’t rule out returning for Tokyo.
” All my hard work has paid off and I am really happy about it”.
But Phelps is there.
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Phelps, who cut short his participation in the IM medal ceremony to race off the pool deck and get ready for the butterfly semi-finals, touched in 51.58 seconds. Watch it, and cherish it.
