Michael Phelps is now the proud owner of nineteen Olympic medals. This impressive feat makes him the most decorated medal-winner of all time. Did I mention fifteen of those medals are gold?

Phelps won his nineteenth medal in the men’s 200-freestyle relay. After showing his speed in the 4x100 relay (47.15-second split), the U.S. coaches switched Phelps from a lead-off position to anchor.

Photo Courtesy of Reuters

About an hour before the relay, Phelps won his eighteenth medal from the 200-meter butterfly. Hoping to win his third straight gold in the 200-meter butterfly, Phelps faltered in the last 25 meters. This allowed South Africa’s Chad le Clos a chance to close the gap and win the gold. Leaving Phelps with a silver medal and disappointment.

During a pre-relay team huddle, Phelps told his teammates, “give me a big lead.” And they did just that. Ryan Lochte swam the fastest lead-off leg outpacing his closest competitor (the French) by 1.55 seconds. Conor Dwyer and Ricky Berens kept the lead alive. By the time Phelps dove in the pool he had a four second lead and finished the race almost 10 meters ahead of the French.

The disappointment from his previous race melted away once Phelps touched the wall. Lochte, Dwyer and Berens stood on the deck cheering and pumping their fists.  Even the P.A. announcer went crazy shouting “You are now a complete legend!” while the Foo Fighter’s “Best of You” played.

Yes, Mr. P.A. Announcer, you got that right. Now that Phelps has surpassed Russian gymnast Larissa Latynina’s record of eighteen medals, he is the greatest Olympian of all time.

Phelps has three more events in London before he retires. This gives him three more chances to be the first male swimmer to win the same individual event in three straight Olympics.

What does Phelps have to say about all this? “It has been a pretty amazing career.”

To Michael Phelps I have this to say: Thanks for making the Olympics exciting. I wish you the best in all your future endorsement endeavors.

Photo courtesty of Flickr