Greatest Ever: Michael Phelps Makes Olympic History

When you win your record 19th Olympic medal, as Michael Phelps did on Tuesday, you get (and deserve) the full front page treatment from The Guardian.

Michael Phelps entered the day sitting on 17 total medals, just one shy of tying the record of 18 set by Larisa Latynina of the then Soviet Union. Phelps was able to tie the record with a silver medal in the Men’s 200m fly, just narrowly missing out on gold, before breaking the record by anchoring Team USA’s gold-medal performance in the Men’s 4x200m relay.

Phelps didn’t sound disappointed with his performance in the 2012 Games, which included a disappointing fourth-place finish in the 400m individual medley earlier in the week, despite failing to meet lofty expectations.

The Americans came into the men’s 4x200m freestyle relay as heavy favorites, and it was obvious why when the U.S. outpaced the field to take the gold medal on Tuesday. Not only was the win dominant, it was also record-setting -- it gave Michael Phelps his 19th medal, making him the most decorated Olympian of all time, in any sport.

Team USA finished in 6:59.70, more than three seconds ahead of France, who had beaten the U.S. in the 4x100m relay on Sunday. China won bronze, finishing more than six seconds behind the Americans.

Ye Shiwen is just 15 years of age, and swimming in her first Olympics. It’s hard to say these Summer Games don’t already belong to her after just four days in the pool, however: Ye used a fantastic finish to take the women’s 200-meter individual medley on Tuesday.

Ye finished in a time of 2:07.57, a new Olympic mark in the event, and the way she did it foretells far more success for her in London.

A stacked field in the women’s 200m freestyle final wasn’t nearly enough to stop Allison Schmitt. Schmitt dominated the pool on Tuesday, setting a new Olympic record and giving the United States the overall medal lead.

After Missy Franklin bolted to the lead in the first 50 meters, Schmitt overtook her countrywoman, and led from 100 meters on, finishing in a lightning-fast 1:53.61. France’s Camille Muffat, the silver medalist, was nearly two seconds behind at 1:55.58.

Michael Phelps will swim the anchor leg for the United States in Tuesday’s 4x200m freestyle relay, scheduled to start at 3:51 p.m. ET. Team USA will lead off with Ryan Lochte, followed by Conor Dwyer, then Ricky Berens, and then finally, Phelps.

The swim could be a historic one for Phelps -- if he medals in the 200m fly at 2:49 p.m. ET (his signature event), a medal in the relay would give him 19 total for his career, making him the most decorated athlete in the history of the Olympics. Just one medal on Tuesday would equal the record currently held by former Soviet gymnast Larisa Latynina.

Michael Phelps had a short day in the 2012 Olympic pool on Monday, merely qualifying for the men’s 200m butterfly title. On Tuesday, Phelps will defend his gold medal in the final of the event, and go for a bit more Olympic history.

Phelps has a chance to become the first men’s swimmer to win an event in three consecutive Olympics in the 200m butterfly, one of the few new feats available for the most acclaimed swimmer in Olympic history. Phelps has already come up short in one attempt at the milestone, placing fourth in the 400m IM, but Japan’s Kosuke Kitajima failed to beat Phelps to the record by not winning the 100m breaststroke.

The swimming competition continues at the London Olympics Tuesday, with four more gold medals on the line. United States’ headliners Michael Phelps, Ryan Lochte and Missy Franklin will be among those in action.

Phelps will attempt to win his first medal of the 2012 Olympics when he races in the men’s 200-meter butterfly final. Phelps, who holds the world record in the 200-meter butterfly, failed to medal in his first Olympic race. The men’s 200-meter butterfly is scheduled for 2:49 p.m. ET.