Michael Phelps Claims His 19th Gold Medal

 

If Michael Phelps were a country he would stand 40th on the all-time medal table, it would be fair to say he had left an indelible mark on the Olympic story long before he won his 19th gold here with a performance that more than matched his best.

Phelps has now won more golds than Jamaica in their entire Olympic history since 1948 - and they have Usain Bolt to boost their tally with his six golds.  Phelps, who was watched at the Aquatics Stadium by his three-month-old son Boomer and fiancée Nicole Johnson, summoned his finest form on the biggest stage to help the United States beat the powerhouses of France, Australia and Russia to gold in the 4 x 100 metres relay.

Bob Bowman, his coach, was impressed by his first gold swim, saying: “Michael usually works this way: when one thing is good, everything is pretty good.  It doesn’t usually work in parts. So I feel pretty confident now. Everything I’ve asked him to do, he’s been really good at.”

Phelps is also contesting the 200m butterfly, a title he is desperate to reclaim having lost out to South Africa’s Chad le Clos at London 2012. Phelps will also go in the 100m butterfly and 200m individual medley, and possibly two more relays.