Michael Phelps: US Swimming Stud Ready to Break Olympic Records in 2012

U.S. swimming sensation Michael Phelps is already one of the most decorated Olympic athletes of all time. He's not finished, though, and he's set to smash some of the all-time Olympic records this summer in London.

Phelps set the record for the most gold medals in the history of the Olympics with his phenomenal run of eight gold medals in the 2008 Summer Games in Beijing. There's no way he's going to match that gaudy total in 2012, as he's only competing in seven events. 

That doesn't mean he can't make just as big of a splash this year, though. 

The most total medals by one athlete in the history of the Olympic Games is 18. This record was set by Larisa Latynina, a Soviet Union gymnast from the 1950s through the 1960s.

With two more medals, Phelps will tie that mark, and three more would make him the most decorated athlete of any sport in the history of the Olympics. 

Additionally, per the AP, if Phelps wins the gold medal in the 400-meter individual medley, he'll be the first male swimmer in the history of the Games to win a gold medal in the same event in three straight Olympic Games.

Taking a look at Phelps' schedule, it's hard to believe he'll finish any event without at least a bronze medal. He may be overtaken by James Magnussen and Ryan Lochte in a couple of the events, but that won't stop him from finishing on the podium. 

By the time Phelps steps away from the 2012 Summer Games, he'll easily be the most decorated Olympic athlete in the history of the Games. According to ESPN.com's Wayne Drehs, this is his last hurrah. 

Knowing how Phelps has responded to every other challenge he's faced in the pool, he's going to make his last Summer Games one to remember.

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