Michael Phelps (USA) made Olympic history again tonight. The critics, nor Ryan Lochte (USA), could stop Michael Phelps from winning his sixteenth Olympic gold medal. Phelps became the first male swimmer in Olympic history to defend an Olympic title twice by winning the 200m Individual Medley three Games in a row.
Many have tried and all have failed to three-peat in an individual event until tonight’s win by Phelps, especially in these Games. Kosuke Kitajima (JPN) came up short in the 100 and 200 breast,
Three other swimmers have failed to best Phelps in this event. Cseh, Lochte, and Pereira have all been in the pool for each of Phelps’ Olympic 200 IM wins.
In Athens 2004, Ryan Lochte took the silver medal in the 200 IM. Laszlo Cseh (HUN) was locked out of the medals in fourth place, as was Thiago Pereira (BRA) in fifth.
In Beijing 2008, Cseh stepped up to take the silver medal behind Phelps. Ryan Lochte picked up the bronze and Pereira came home empty handed in fourth.
And finally, at these Olympics, Lochte moved back up to the silver medal position, Laszlo Cseh took the bronze. Thiago Pereira was once again locked out of a medal position, finishing in fourth place again.
200 Individual Medley over the Years:
| Men’s 200 IM Olympic Final | 2004* | 2008 | 2012 |
| Michael Phelps (USA) | 1:57.54 (1st, OR) |
1:54.23 (1st, WR) |
1:54.27 (1st) |
| Ryan Lochte (USA) | 1:58.78 (2nd) |
1:56.53 (3rd) |
1:54.90 (2nd) |
| Laszlo Cseh (HUN) | 1:58.78 (4th) |
1:56.52 (2nd) |
1:56.22 (3rd) |
| Thiago Pereira (BRA) | 2:00.11 (5th) |
1:58.64 (4th) |
1:56.74 (4th) |
*Notes: The bronze in 2004 went to George Bovell (TRI) at 1:58.80. The world record is currently held by Ryan Lochte (in textile) at 1:54.00 from 2011 World Championships in Shanghai, China
Phelps could have gone for the WR. His last 50 split was 27.68s, significantly slower than Shanghai (27.3) and Omaha (27.4).
Amazingness, nevertheless.
Is it possible that Lochte peaked at the front of the Olympics and Phelps is peaking at the end? Phelps 100 fly semis time is spectacular considering it followed this 200 IM.
Perhaps! I think he missed his taper…. And now he is getting back in top form.
I think there a good chance he miss timed his taper. He’s getting better as the week goes on. Unfortunately its the Olympics and GOAT he may be but they aren’t going to reschedule it for him, so it was sorta sink or swim. But he really pulled it together tonight!
GOAT!!!
I’m most amazed by his mental strength, the week started out rough for him but he didn’t let it drag him down!!
And we are so privileged to watch it! I’m so happy that he got this one.
I keep telling my little sister every night how cool it is to literally see history being made right before our eyes. So cool!
Agreed!!
Great result for Phelps!
What a deep field… Pereira made a personal textile best.
Monster Huge Fantastic extraordinary Michael Phelps ….what else to say ? a great Man and champion >>>>> Love and peace brother > U are the athlete of this meet .
I wanted to see Michael make history so badly! Now if he can only do it one more time in the 100 fly… Does it matter that he and Ryan also 3-peated in 800 FR? Michael and Hansen also could do it in 400 MR!
Relays do not count.
As long as you are a top american swimmer, three-peating in relays is not that difficult.