Written by James Masters at CNN.com
Michael Phelps is used to rewriting history — now he’s eclipsing it too.
You have to go back around 2,160 years, give a week or two, to find an athlete who could challenge the imperious record held by the “Baltimore Bullet.”
The US star claimed the 22nd Olympic gold of his Olympic career Thursday after powering past the opposition in the final of the 200-meter individual medley.
The achievements of Leonidas, a runner who competed between 164 and 152 BC, were recorded by Philostratus the Athenian and Pausanias who told of the his 12 triumphs, according to the official Olympics website.
Perhaps in another 2,000 years the stories of Phelps and his exploits will be shared around the table given his astonishing record.
The most decorated Olympian of all-time with 26 medals made a mockery of suggestions that he would struggle to cope with teammate Ryan Lochte and Japan’s Hagino.
Phelps didn’t just win — he smashed it. Then he jumped out of the pool to receive his medal before heading back in to qualify for Friday’s 100-meter butterfly final.
The 31-year-old, who is set to retire after the Games, could end up with five gold medals by the end of the competition.
Phelps wasn’t the only gold medal winner for the US on a stunning night of swimming.
Dead heat
Simone Manuel became the first African-American woman to win a gold medal for the United States in an individual swimming event after she finished alongside Canada’s Penny Oleksiak in a time of 52.70 seconds.
The 20-year-old, who had previously won silver in the women’s 4×100-meter freestlye relay, set a new Olympic record along with Oleksiak.
“My first gold medal, at my first Olympics, is kind of a surprise to me,” Manuel told reporters.
“I never thought I would be in this position but I’m so blessed and honored to be on the medal stand.
” All my hard work has paid off and I am really happy about it.”
The last two swimmers to win joint gold were US pair Gary Hall and Antony Ervin, who shared the men’s 50-meter freestyle title back in 2000.
Oleksiak is the first athlete born after January 1 2000 to claim an Olympic gold medal in an individual event. Sweden’s Sarah Sjostrom finished third.
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