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Tuesday, July 31, 2012 7:00 PM ET
Michael Phelps: Most Decorated Olympian of All Time
The American star swam to gold with Team USA in the men's 4x200-metre relay on Tuesday night, surpassing Soviet gymnast Larisa Latynina to become the most decorated Olympian of all time.
The gold medal is the 15th of Phelps's career, as well as his first of the London 2012 Olympic Games.
"This was a good day," Phelps said. "I got a bit too serious two days ago, so I just got to relax and smile and have fun."
An hour after he captured silver in the men's 200-metre butterfly, the 27-year-old swam the anchor leg for a star-studded American team that included Ryan Lochte, Conor Dwyer and Ricky Berens. And just two nights after France edged the United States in the 4x100m race, the American foursome had their revenge with a first-place 4x200m finish of six minutes, 59.70 seconds.
"I told [the team] to give me the biggest lead that they could. I knew France was going to be tough," Phelps said. "I've been in a huddle with [my teammates] because they made it possible. If I didn't get a big enough lead than who knows what would have happened."
Frenchman Yannick Agnel put pressure on the Americans in Tuesday's race, but was unable to catch Phelps in the final stretch. France finished second by more than three seconds in 7:02.77 while China posted a time of 7:06.30 for third.
Phelps famously won a record eight gold medals at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, setting seven world records along the way. He took two years off before beginning to train in earnest, his eyes set on a third and final Olympic Games.
The swimming phenom got off to a rocky start in London, finishing fourth in the men's 400m individual medley on Day 1 of the Games. The last time Phelps failed to reach a podium in an Olympic final was at Sydney 2000. He was 15 at the time.
Phelps, of Baltimore, U.S., rebounded to earn his first medal in London on Sunday. He swam the fastest leg of the men's 4x100m relay and with a second-place finish overall, earned the first Olympic silver medal of his career.
Phelps has said he will retire following the close of the London 2012 Games.
"It's pretty special," Phelps said of his historic night. "I saw my mom and I started to pick people out in the crowd. It's pretty special."
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