Michael Phelps Wins Gold Medal During 200M Individual Medley at 2016 Olympics

American swimming sensation Michael Phelps added another gold medal to his unmatched resume Thursday in the 200-meter individual medley. 

Medal	Swimmer	Country	Time
Gold	Michael Phelps	United States	1:54.66
Silver	Kosuke Hagino	Japan	1:56.61
Bronze	Wang Shun	China	1:57.05

It's his fourth gold of the 2016 Rio Olympics and the fourth straight time that he won this specific event, becoming the first swimmer ever to attain such a feat.

He also broke a record that's lasted over two millennia:

Along with American rival Ryan Lochte, the two have swept gold in the 200-meter individual medley in each of the last 10 major international events dating back to 2003. Phelps won six while Lochte took four, though none of the latter's came on the Olympic podium.

Lochte, though, didn't make the podium with a fifth-place finish.

Off the blocks and into the first turn, Phelps was behind Brazil's Thiago Pereira by less than 0.2 seconds, but after the backstroke at the 100-meter mark, it was Lochte with a narrow lead. 

Phelps exploded on the breaststroke, building a 0.41-second lead, and he put the field away on the last lap with the freestyle in decisive fashion, winning by 1.95 seconds.

Japan's Kosuke Hagino took silver, while China's Wang Shun took bronze.

Phelps captured gold in the 200-meter medley in each of his last three Olympic appearances in Athens (2004), Beijing (2008) and London (2012). In turn, it was no surprise when he included the race as part of his schedule during his comeback.

A lot has changed for the 31-year-old Baltimore native since he first appeared on the national radar as a fresh-faced 15-year-old rising star at the 2000 Summer Games in Sydney. It's rare for an Olympic athlete to remain in the spotlight as a contender for such an extended period.

He was asked leading up to Rio about whether he'd recognize that younger version of himself given how much has changed over the years. The legendary swimmer thought he would, while noting coach Bob Bowman has been there every step of the way, too, per Childs Walker of the Baltimore Sun.

"I don't know if he would recognize who I am today," Phelps said. "But I definitely recognize him, and I recognize the journey from, you know, from the start of it when Bob and I first started back when I was 11 years old."

It's the type of question and response that makes both Phelps and his fans nostalgic as his Olympic career potentially winds toward its conclusion this week.

What has set Phelps apart from his foes over the years has been his proficiency across the spectrum of strokes, which also explains his success in the individual medley. His overall efficiency and seamless turns have been a sight to behold.

So as he adds another medal to his amazing collection, it becomes less about the numbers and more about appreciating the greatness. He's further solidifying himself as one of the top athletes ever.

Every edition of the Games creates memorable moments. But there may never be another spectacle like his journey to eight gold medals in 2008. Everything else now is just gravy, and he's adding a lot.