But Manuel, 20, stunned a world-class field to tie for the gold medal in the 100-meter freestyle with Canada’s Penny Oleksiak to become the first African-American woman to win an individual Olympic title in swimming. Three more medals have been won for the United States delegation and also Fiji won their first Olympic medal in history.
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It also loomed as the last meeting between USA swimming’s two most decorated men of all time.
The 31-year-old, who is set to retire after the Games, could end up with five gold medals by the end of the competition.
“This medal is not just for me”, she said.
Perhaps in another 2,000 years the stories of Phelps and his exploits will be shared around the table given his astonishing record.
He won his 22nd gold medal in a time of 1:54.66, years ahead of Japan silver medalist Kosuke Hagino (1:56.61). Lochte didn’t even reach the podium this time, fading to fifth after leading at the midway point. This time, Lochte took fifth in that race. The Americans are the top two all-time performers in the event. “And I just want to be inspiration to others that you can do it”.
“To think I could be that idol for some kid who is trying to do this is really cool”, he added, as the Americans finished day six with 11 swimming golds, a whopping eight clear of Australia and Hungary.
Then, he’ll close out these Olympics in the 4×100 medley relay.
Phelps is the world record holder in the 100-meter butterfly, having set the mark of 49.82 seconds at the 2009 World Championships.
“I’m delighted”, she told reporters. Aaron Peirsol pulled off the sweep at Athens in 2004, and Lenny Krayzelburg claimed both golds at the 2000 Sydney Games. Sweden’s Sarah Sjostrom won bronze.
For good measure on Thursday, he was back in the pool barely 30 minutes after the 200 IM victory to swim in a 100 butterfly semifinal and advance.
“We’ve always pushed each other (and) he’s one of the best, not swimmers, but athletes in the Olympics”. “That’s the one I wanted really bad”.
The Russian, whose participation has provoked open hostility from rival swimmers, was a distant second with China’s Shi Jinglin third.
Australian Larkin, who failed to medal in the 100m, took silver and Russia’s Evgeny Rylov the bronze.
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I have no idea what Phelps will pull from his bag of tricks next, but I’m guessing it will be as riveting and breathtaking as Thursday’s lightning finish.
