It seems like Michael Phelps has lost his touch, at least in the men's 200 meter butterfly. The famous American swimmer was out-touched by South Africa's Chad le Clos, leaving Phelps with a silver medal and a huge upset.
Phelps is a master of the 200 meter butterfly, winning gold in the event during the 2004 Olympics Games in Athens and the 2008 Olympics Games in Beijing. He was trying to become the first man to win three Olympic gold medals in the same event, but lost by a finger.
Phelps was ahead for most of the race. By the end, he was half a meter ahead of le Clos, but with three meters to go, he glided into the wall instead of finishing strong, something Olympic swimming bronze medalist Steve Parry says "is a ridiculous error, something you learn when you are 12 years of age." Phelps came in just .05 seconds after le Clos.
Experts were expecting Phelps to get the gold as it was his strongest event. Before the race began, five-time Olympian Mark Foster said "He's not been beaten in this event for 11 years and he's going for three Olympic wins in a row, which has never been done. I wouldn't bet against him."
However all bets were off as Phelps took home the silver instead of the gold in a shocking end. Japan's Takeshi Matsude came in third, taking the bronze medal.
Chad le Clos had a lot to celebrate after the win and even called Phelps one of his idols. "That's been my dream, ever since I was a little boy. Michael is my hero. I just wanted to race in the final and now I've won it. I can't believe it, I really can't," le Clos said after his win.
Despite falling short, Phelps did tie a historic record. With his new silver medal, Phelps tied Soviet gymnast Larisa Latynina, now 77, as the most decorated Olympic athlete of all-time with 18 medals.
Phelps later passed the record as the men's U.S. swimming team took gold and beat France and China in the 4X200m relay. Phelps is now the most decorated Olympic athlete with 19 medals.
Phelps now has 15 gold medals, two silver, and two bronze.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
