Phelps, who has been upbeat and all smiles on the podium this Olympics (a sharp contrast to the intense pre-race #PhelpsFace that went viral before the 200m fly semi-finals), was visibly emotional during his gold medal ceremony.
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He then won his 21st by helping the USA team win the 4×200 freestyle relay.
Then, it was Ledecky’s turn on the anchor leg.
Phelps came away with the victory, clocking one minute, 55.78 seconds to post the fastest time across both semifinals.
Lochte, 32, said: “This week, we’re just getting started”.
The U.S. women have been on a roll in Rio, beating Argentina, Australia and Japan. Canada took the bronze in 7:45.39. An hour later, he was back at it again, this time in the 4×200 freestyle relay.
‘It hurt a little bit, but with a good rest this afternoon think I’ll be fine, ‘ he said. Phelps is in is fifth Olympics. They’ve combined to win more than 80 championship medals in Olympic and World Championship competition.
In the women’s all-around, Simone Biles is the favorite to win gold and Aly Raisman will be a medal contender.
“Mission accomplished”, he said after claiming the 20th Olympic gold of his career.
In the same event at London in 2012, Phelps took the gold medal and Lochte won silver.
The Brazilians have a stake in the 200 IM, too. Kevin Cordes and Josh Prenot will compete in the men’s 200 meter breaststroke, while Caleb Dressel and Nathan Adrian swim for Team USA in the men’s 100 meter freestyle event.
In the relay, Schmitt captured gold in what was likely the final race of her career.
Leah Smith and Maya DiRado swam second and third respectively before Ledecky, who won the 400 freestyle on Sunday and 200 free on Tuesday, brought home the gold with a typically powerful swim from behind.
Oh, and let’s not forget Missy Franklin, the darling of the London Games.
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They’ll race against each other for the final time in the 200-meter individual medley, ending a 13-year rivalry that has been one of the greatest in swimming history. Phelps is already the most decorated Olympian of all time.
