Michael Phelps Wins 2012 Olympic Swimming Men's 200-Meter IM Gold Medal

Michael Phelps keeps adding to his record Olympic medal total. His latest triumph in London came on Thursday in the men's 200-meter individual medley. 

Phelps earned a gold medal over fellow American Ryan Lochte, according to Swim Swam News:

"

Phelps dominates in 1:54.27, Lochte 2nd in 1:54.90. Cseh 3rd. Lochte was never really in this race. #SwimLympics

— SwimSwam (@swimswamnews) August 2, 2012"

This was one of the most anticipated events of the day, as it was the final battle of the 2012 London Olympics between Phelps and Lochte.

These two developed quite the rivalry leading up to these Games, as Lochte has been trying to show the world that there is more than just one great American male swimmer.

Of course, Phelps setting the Olympic record for career medals has taken over these Olympics. When he won his 19th medal, a gold, in the 4x200-meter freestyle relay on Tuesday night, with the help of Lochte, all the talk became about whether or not he was the greatest Olympian of all time.

While that might be an impossible question to answer, there is no doubt that Phelps is leaving his mark on what he has said will be his final Olympics.

Has he been as dominant this year as he was in Beijing four years ago? No, but that was a once-in-a-generation performance that would have been nearly impossible to duplicate. Four years is a long time, and at 27 years old, his body won't do the things it was capable of at 19 or 23.

Yet here he is, with another medal to put around his neck. It is a testament to his greatness that he has been able to maintain his incredible level of performance through the course of three Olympic Games. 

Phelps is not done competing, though. He still has the 100-meter butterfly and 4x100-meter medley relay to go before he calls it a career.

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