Michael Phelps Schedule: When to Watch USA Icon's Quest for Medal History

Michael Phelps is looking to rewrite history again. The American will break the record for most medals ever if he lands on the podium in both of the events he's taking part in on Tuesday, which includes the 200-meter butterfly and the 4x200-meter freestyle relay.

The butterfly race is one Phelps has dominated over the past eight years, winning gold in each of the last two Olympics. It will go off at 2:49 p.m. ET. The United States team has been equally impressive in the longer freestyle relay with two straight Olympic victories. It starts at 3:51 p.m. ET.

By the time those two races are over, Phelps, who already owns the record for most gold medals, has a great chance to become the most decorated Olympic champion in history. It would be another feather in the cap of the best swimmer to ever jump in a pool.

As it stands now, he currently sits one medal behind Larisa Latynina. The Soviet gymnast dominated the Games, from 1956 until 1964. Much like Phelps, she was often on another level during that time period and her fellow competitors could only watch in awe.

Her record has stood for nearly five decades, but it seems destined to fall. Even if Phelps and the American squad are unable to continue their gold-medal streaks in Tuesday's events, it would be a surprise if he didn't at least earn a medal in both events.

Phelps' final Games hasn't gone according to plan so far, though. He barely managed to qualify for the 400-meter individual medley and didn't even land on the podium after getting stuck in the extreme outside lane as American Ryan Lochte cruised to gold.

It was then Lochte who cost Phelps another gold in the first freestyle relay after he was chased down by France's Yannick Agnel during the final leg. It will be interesting to see if that disappointment leads to lineup juggling or a change in the 200-meter version of the event.

That said, breaking the overall medal record would overshadow any potential disappointment that has occurred so far. His life has been consumed by swimming for the better part of two decades, and the moment he breaks the record would make it all worth it.

As Latynina's record has proven, it's not a typical world record that's going to be broken quickly. If Phelps can close the deal in London by breaking the record, it will likely be his for a very long time before another once-in-a-lifetime star comes along.

It wouldn't surprise anybody if he gets it done on Tuesday.

For a complete look at Phelps' schedule in London, click here.