Michael Phelps Could Break A 2,168-Year-Old Olympic Record
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Michael Phelps is already the most decorated Olympian of all time, but tonight, he may very well break a record that has stood for 2,168 years.
When Phelps won the men's 200-meter butterfly on Tuesday night, he earned his 12th individual gold medal. That tied a record set by Leonidas of Rhodes in 152 BC.
In four straight Olympiads, Leonidas won three events: A sprint called the stadion, a longer run called the daiulos, and a race done while wearing armor, called the hoplite race.
Phelps has two chances to beat that record in the 200-meter individual medley today, and the 100-meter butterfly tomorrow.
Phelps' individual medal count is more hardware than 91 countries combined, including Portugal, Peru, Singapore, and Serbia.
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