“It’s exactly how I want to exit the sport”. Lochte didn’t even reach the podium this time, fading to fifth after leading at the midway point. In swimming logistics, he was light years ahead of runner-up Wang Shun of China, who finished in 1:57.05.
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“I’m just living a dream come true”, said Phelps. “No, I’m not. But I’ll just say that”, Phelps said to reporters while answering a question about his son Boomer being able to see him compete in Rio.
Phelps is the most decorated Olympian in history with 22 golds, two silvers and two bronze medals – seven more than the second-highest athlete on the list, Soviet gymnast Larisa Latynina.
Shortly after Phelps pulled away from Ryan Lochte in the 200-meter individual medley, Manuel won the 100 meter freestyle race, becoming the first African-American woman to win an Olympic swimming gold. One or the other had won the event in the last 10 world championships or Olympics, but only Phelps had won Olympic gold in the event.
Lurking in second until the end of the breaststroke third leg, he surged home on the closing freestyle lap to win in 1min 54.66sec.
“I hope that Michael can stay around long enough for me to race him again”.
Ch-ch-check out Phelps’ historic win (below)!
The United States has not lost a men’s backstroke final at the Olympics since 1992.
Japan’s Kosuke Hagino won the silver medal behind Phelps in a time of 1:56.61 also won the gold in the 400m IM earlier in the week.
After biding their time in the first 50 metres, the Japanese and Russian climbed steadily through the field.
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– Hilary Evans (@OlympicStatman) August 10, 2016Sometimes you have to wait 2168 years for a record to be broken.
