Phelps writes his name in history books with a record-shattering 19 Olympic medals

Michael Phelps wrote his names in the history books early Wednesday, winning two medals — a silver and then gold — to become the most successful Olympian with a record-shattering haul of 19 medals, says a report in Hindustan Times.

“First came the silver in the 200-meter butterfly — a disappointment as the American was pipped to the gold by South Africa's Chad le Clos by just five-hundredths of a second. Phelps responded by flipping away his cap in disgust, knowing he had blown it at the end by trying to glide to the wall instead of taking one more stroke,” says the report, adding that that still tied him with Soviet gymnast Larisa Latynina as the career leader with 18 medals. He had come to London with 17 medals, 14 of those gold.

But there were no mistakes in the next event — the men's 4x200 freestyle relay. Arch-rival and teammate Ryan Lochte set the pace at the beginning and Phelps was the smooth finisher, winning the team gold and getting to his personal milestone with ease.

Meanwhile a report in Indian Express says that Michael Phelps became the most successful Olympian ever when he helped the United States to the gold medal in the men's 4x200 metres freestyle relay at the London Games on Tuesday, winning the 19th medal of his storied career. Phelps, who had equalled Soviet gymnast Larisa Latynina's haul of 18 medals earlier when he won silver in the men's 200 butterfly final, swum the anchor leg in the relay for the Americans.

The 27-year-old had already set the record for gold medals, winning six in Athens in 2004 and an unprecedented eight in Beijing four years ago. The relay victory was his first gold in London.  France took the silver in the relay, while China won the bronze.

Just when it seemed the Baltimore Bullet was in danger of becoming the silver bullet, Michael Phelps secured one more gold medal to become the greatest Olympian in history last night, says a report in Daily Mail.

‘There are a lot of emotions going through my head but this is very special for me,’ he said after collecting his record 19th medal. ‘I told the guys when we were on the podium that I wouldn’t be able to sing because I was already a bit teary.’ The evening had not started well for the American, as he lost the  200 metres butterfly on the touch to South Africa’s Chad le Clos to leave him with his second silver medal of the Games. But then came the 4x200m freestyle relay and with it the opportunity to collect the all-important 19th in style.