Phelps Most Decorated Gold Medalist Ever

13 August 2008

American swimmer Michael Phelps surged to a pair of victories in the Olympic pool, Wednesday, to become the most decorated gold medal winner.

Michael Phelps has competed in five events, so far in Beijing. He was won all five with record times. The latest came in the 200-meter butterfly (1:52.03) and as a member of the U.S. 4x200 meter freestyle relay team (6:58.56).

After winning the individual event, Phelps collected his tenth career gold medal - more than any athlete in the history of the modern games.

"It started setting in a little bit after the [200-meter] butterfly [race]," Phelps said. "I was just sort of trying to focus on my next race. But I just kept thinking, wow, greatest Olympian of all time. It is a pretty cool saying -- a pretty cool title, you could say."

The 23-year-old Phelps says he has cherished each victory.

"It definitely never, ever gets old, listening to the national anthem play, with the gold medal around your neck," he said. "It is one of the greatest feelings I have ever had in the sport of swimming."

Should Phelps simply reach the podium in his final three events, he will have 14 career medals overall. Russian Larissa Latynina collected 18 medals overall in her career, including nine gold, five silver and four bronze.

In women's swimming, Federica Pelligrini of Italy won the 200 meter freestyle in world record fashion with a time of 1:54.97. Sara Isakovic of Slovenia took silver and Pang Jiayin of China claimed the bronze.

Australia's Stephanie Rice won the gold and set a world record in the 200 meter individual medley with a time of 2:08.45. Kirsty Coventry of Zimbabwe finished second and American Naralie Coughlin took the bronze.

The Chinese women won the team gymnastics gold with their rivals, the Americans, taking the silver. The U.S. had opportunities to take the gold away from China but mistakes cost the Americans. Defending Olympic champion Romania finished third for the bronze.

A total of 17 medals will be handed out Wednesday, including men's and women's cycling time trials and several medals in wrestling.