Yesterday Michael Phelps, swimmer for Team USA, became the winningest Olympian with 19 medals. He tied the mark for most at 18 with a silver in the 200 fly . He broke the record with a gold in the 4x200 IM relay. Starting in the 2004 Athens games up to this point, Phelps has 15 gold medals, 2 silver and 2 bronze (he also raced in the 2000 Sydney games but did not medal). He still has a few more races left in London so he could add to his medal count.
The record that he broke had stood since 1964 with Russian gymnast Larisa Latynina. I will admit, as much of a Olympic geek as I am, I hadn't heard of her prior to Phelps being on the brink of breaking the record. Latynina won 9 gold medals (still the only woman to hold that honor) and competed until she was 30, which is unheard of today in gymnastics. She was on hand to watch Phelps break the record and was happy for him.
These London Olympics haven't been the best swan song for Phelps (finishing 4th in one final, not getting gold in his best event) but he has accomplished something that no Olympian has ever accomplished. He broke a record that stood for 48 years. It's moments like that which make sports so great to watch. So congrats Michael Phelps, arguably the best swimmer and one of the greatest Olympic athletes of all time.
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